Acting Terms | Part 3 | Technical Theatre Terms
Technical Theatre, sometimes referred to as stagecraft, involves all visual, mechanical, and auditory production aspects of theater that supplement the acting, writing, and directing—essentially acting as the backbone to a production.
COSTUME: The clothing worn by characters on stage.
CUE: In technical terms, the trigger (be it a line or an event) for an action to be carried out at a specific time. Lighting and sound cues are called for by the stage manager, following along in the script with the events of the show.
DESIGN: The plan or convention for the construction or creation of an element of a play. Sets, lighting, sound, costume, plots, and make-up all require designs.
LIGHTING: The deliberate use of light to illuminate the stage or convey a location or emotion, and sometimes all three.
MAKE-UP: The use of cosmetics to create the appearance of the character during the play.
MASKS: A face covering used in theatre to create character or disguise identity.
PLOT: In technical terms, the plot refers to the design of the lights. The lighting plot maps out the color, location, brightness, and shift between lighting cues.
PROPS/PROPERTIES: The objects actors interact with onstage. Items such as books, plates, and swords are props.
PUPPETRY: A form of theatre using puppets in its storytelling. Some shows are done entirely with puppets, while other shows use puppets to enhance its story, interacting directly or indirectly with actors.
STRIKE: At the end of the run of a show, when the set and all other technical aspects are taken apart, clearing the stage for the next show.
See also