Descriptionary

peanut gallery slang for a top balcony or gallery, where lower-class patrons ate peanuts.

perch an offstage platform on which a spotlight is sometimes placed.

pigeon a platform or riser, smaller than an apple box, used to elevate a performer.

pin spot a spotlight having a very narrow beam.

pit the orchestra pit.

play to the balcony to direct one's performance to the cheaper seats in the balcony, from which the lower classes are quicker to applaud. Also, to play to the gallery.

pool hall lighting dim, overhead lighting, used for effect in some scenes.

positions! the last call for performers to take their positions before the curtain rises.

practicals stage props that actually function, as dis­tinguished from replicas.

practical set a set having real walls and props that work, as distinguished from facades and replicas.

production number any extravagant act or musical number involving many or all members of the chorus, dance troupe, or other performers.

program a brochure describing the show and its performers, given or sold to audience members.

prologue an introduction to a play.

prompt box a hoodline projection or alcove in the center of the stage in which a prompter is positioned out of view of the audience.

prompt corner location where the prompter posi­tions himself, usually downstage right.

prompter one who assists actors in remembering lines while the show is in progress. He keeps track of the dialogue by means of a prompt book.

prop any object, from a cigarette lighter to a sofa, used in a show.

property personnel the stage crew responsible for props.

proscenium the front of the stage, from the front curtain to the orchestra; the apron.

quick study a performer particularly adept at learn­ing his role and accompanying lines.

raisonneur in a play, a character who observes the action, comments on it, and serves as a narrator to the audience.

rake the slant or inclination of a stage. A raked stage slopes down from back to front.

revue a musical composed of sketches and songs.

royal box boxed seating near the stage, reserved for royalty or other VIPs.

rumble pot a receptacle in which boiling water and dry ice is mixed to create fog effects.

score the music written for a show.

set designer one who designs and creates a set.

set dressings set furnishings, decor.

snake a special cable that combines several cables, used with stage lighting.

soliloquy talking to the audience or to oneself on stage.

spot a spotlight.

SRO standing room only; a packed house.

stagehand a helper who assembles, dismantles, and moves scenery; operates the curtain; and performs other tasks.

stagestruck having the sudden desire to become a stage performer, usually occurring while watching a stage show.

strike to take down a set.

theater party a performance given for charity, with the beneficiaries often making up part of the audience.

thrust stage a stage that extends out into the middle of an audience.

tormentor a curtain or piece of scenery that con­ceals the wings of a stage or backstage.

tragedy a play or drama that ends sadly or in tragedy.

trapdoor a door in the stage floor through which performers may enter or exit.

understudy a performer who rehearses the role of another in case a stand-in is needed.

upstage the portion of the stage furthest from the audience. Also, at or toward the back of the stage.

wagon stage a mobile set on wheels, used to facili­tate the changing of sets.

walk-through a rough rehearsal.

wardrobe mistress one responsible for costumes.

white light district a theatrical district. Also known as a white way.

television

ABC American Broadcasting Company.

affidavit of performance a notarized list of com­mercials and public service announcements and their air dates and times, provided to the sponsors.

affiliate a local station, frequently independently owned, that contracts to air the programs of a par­ticular national network.

announcer booth in a studio, a small booth where off-camera voice-overs or announcements are made.

Arbitron the TV ratings company that measures the size of a TV viewing audience by means of an elec­tronic meter placed on TV sets.

arc a curving movement left to right (arc right/left) of a TV pedestal camera, as ordered by the director.

art director a supervisor of the art department.

assemble edit the simultaneous recording of audio, video, cue, and control tracks on a tape.

associate director in the control room, an assistant to the director, whose commands are the ones heard by the camera operators.