Technical Theatre Terms

The command given to technical departments to carry out a particular operation. 

• cue
• luminaire
• load
• counter rake

The international term for lighting equipment. 

• luminaire
• load
• counter rake
• curtain time

The electrical power rating, in Watts, of the equipment connected to a particular lighting dimmer. 

• load
• counter rake
• curtain time
• backlight

The act of modifying furniture or props by shortening the upstage legs etc. so that they can stand level on a raked stage. 

• counter rake
• curtain time
• backlight
• counterweight system

The advertised start time of the performance. 

• curtain time
• backlight
• counterweight system
• deus ex machina

Light coming from upstage, behind scenery or actors, to sculpt and separate them from the background. 

• backlight
• counterweight system
• deus ex machina
• double handling

Method of flying scenery which uses a cradle containing weights to counterbalance the weight of flown scenery. 

• counterweight system
• deus ex machina
• double handling
• black hole

Latin for “god out of the machine.” A plot device whereby a seemingly inextricable problem is suddenly solved. As a technical term, this refers to an actor being lowered from the flies, as if he were a god. 

• deus ex machina
• double handling
• black hole
• props table

Moving scenery and other equipment more than necessary because it wasn’t properly sorted or positioned in the first place. 

• double handling
• black hole
• props table
• color correction

Accidentally unlit portion of the stage. 

• black hole
• props table
• color correction
• door slam