| STOCK COMPANY or STOCK |
An acting company whose members play all the roles in a series of plays, as opposed to casting each play separately. |
| STOCK RIGHTS |
Royalty paid for a play used by a stock company. |
| STOCK SCENERY |
A variety of scenic units that a theatre has available in storage and can be used and reused for productions. |
| STRIKE |
To take down a set after a production has closed. The use of the word "strike" in the theatrical sense of taking down scenery was recorded more than one hundred years ago--although builders had used the word as early as the 17th century to mean "remove" and sailors to mean "lower" (a mast or sail) in the 14th century. Today, it is usual to strike a set directly after the final performance, and there is good reason for doing so--a full complement of workers, both cast and crew. |
| STROBE |
Short for stroboscope. A device giving a fast series of very short intense light flashes which can have the effect of making action appear intermittent. Because strobe lighting can trigger an epileptic attack in sufferers, the use of a strobe must be communicated to the audience before the performance begins. Regulations exist governing the maximum length of time for which a strobe can be used. |
| SWAG |
A particularly artistic way of drawing a set of tabs (drapes) diagonally up at the same time as flying them out. |
| SWING |
(1) A member of the company of a musical or play who understudies one of the leads and is also in the chorus, but doesn't have a character name in the chorus. (2) An off-stage performer responsible for covering any number of ensemble tracks. |
| TAB |
1) Originally a "tableaux curtain" which drew outwards and upwards, but now generally applied to any stage curtains including a vertically flying front curtain (house tabs) and especially a pair of horizontally moving curtains which overlap at the center and move outwards from that center. 2) Short for tabloid, referring to a condensed version of a show. |
| TAB DRESSING |
Lighting focused onto the house tabs. |
| TEASER |
Border, usually black, set behind the proscenium and linked with tormentors to form an inner frame to the stage, and to mask the upper parts of the fly tower. |
| TECHIE |
A stage technician. Some find this term endearing, others think it demeaning. |
| TECHNICAL REHEARSAL or TECH REHEARSAL or TECH |
Usually the first time the show is rehearsed in the venue, with lighting, scenery and sound. Costumes are sometimes used where they may cause technical problems (e.g. Quick changes). Often a very lengthy process. Often abbreviated to "the tech." |
| THESPIAN |
Pertaining to acting, or an actor, as in "she is a true thespian." Derived from the name of Thespis, a Greek tragic poet of the sixth century BC, who is said to have first introduced an actor into dramatic presentations, which until then had been performed only by a chorus with a leader. |
| THROW |
Distance between a light source (e.g. lantern or projector) and the actor or object being lit. |
| THROW AWAY or THROW-AWAY |
To underemphasize or underplay lines or stage business, either deliberately (in order to bring out other lines or business by contrast) or aimlessly (from weakness of technique). Thus, to throw away one's lines, or a throw-away line. |
| THROW LINE |
A rope used to hold adjacent flats together as one via cleats. |
| THRUST |
Form of stage that projects into the auditorium so that the audience are seated on at least two sides of the extended piece. |
| THUNDER SHEET |
Large suspended steel sheet with handles which produces a thunder-like rumble when shaken or beaten. |
| TOP HAT |
Cylinder of metal inserted into color runners on the front of a Par Can or other lantern to limit spill light. |
| TORMENTORS |
Narrow masking flats adjacent and sometimes at right angles to the proscenium arch. |