| ANSI CODE |
ANSI is an abbreviation for American National Standards Institute. ANSI Code refers to a three-letter system that has been devised to describe lamps of different manufacture but the same application. The letters have no relationship to lamp description, but the same letters always designate the same type of lamp. Some of the application parameters they define include wattage, base type, envelope size, and light center length. |
| ANTAGONIST |
A principal role, opposed to that of the protagonist or hero. |
| ANTICLIMAX or ANTI-CLIMAX |
A point in a dramatic piece, after the climax, which may emphasize the meaning of the climax by some lesser tension, or may merely lessen the effect of the climax, sometimes to absurdity. |
| APPEAR |
To act, as in to appear in a play or a part. Hence, appearance. |
| APPLICATION |
A copyrighted work cannot be produced legally until you receive written permission from the author's representative. An application for rights typically includes: name and address of the producing organization; phone and fax numbers; name of show; dates of desired performance(s); number of performances; name of theater/auditorium; seating capacity of theater/auditorium; and ticket prices. The processing time for an application can vary from two days to two weeks or more. If the title is available for the dates indicated on the application, fees are quoted and a license is generated. |
| APPRENCTICE |
A person who serves without pay in an acting company in order to learn about acting or other aspects of theatrical work. |
| APRON |
Section of the stage floor which projects towards or into the auditorium. In proscenium theatres, the part of the stage in front of the house tabs, or in front of the proscenium arch. |
| ARBOR |
Metal frame in which counterweights are carried in a flying system. Also called a cradle. |
| ARC |
1) An "arc" is light caused by an electrical discharge between two electrodes in a gas such as xenon, argon, or air.
2) Short for carbon arc spotlight, hence arc-lighting. Obsolete. |
| ARCH |
1) An opening in a piece of scenery, representing an arch or a space of some other shape intended to remain empty or to be filled with a door, window, or the like. 2) A flat in the form of an arch. 3) Shaped like an arch. |
| ARCHITECTURAL LAMP |
A type of linear filament lamp with contacts at 90 degrees to the filament which can give the appearance of a continuous line of light (similar to neon, but dimmable). |
| ARCLINE |
(Trade Name) A colored plastic tube containing a number of small strobe units which, when triggered, flash in sequence down the tube. Many tubes can be connected together. |
| ARE YOU DECENT? |
"Are you dressed to receive visitors?" Query made at a dressing room door before entering. |
| ARENA |
Form of stage where the audience is seated on at least two (normally three, or all four) sides of the whole acting area. |
| ARRANGE |
To adapt a score for orchestral use. |
| ARRAS |
1) A drape curtain loosely suspended across a stage. 2) A curtain or tapestry used to screen a door, or serving as a wall hanging. |
| ARTIST IN RESIDENCE |
A person from the professional theatre, employed for a specified period to train others (usually university students) in acting or other theatre arts. |
| ASBESTOS CURTAIN |
Now obsolete. The fire or fireproof or safety curtain. |
| ASIDE |
A speech or monologue, usually fairly short, to convey a character's thoughts or other information to the audience, while in the presence of other characters, some or all of whom are supposed not to overhear. A stage convention and frequently a stage direction. Often used in melodrama. |
| ASM |
Assistant Stage Manager |