terminology

Question 1

abstract

Answer 1

A scenic or other design which is nonrepresentational and suggests the situation rather than simulating it

Question 2

ambient noise

Answer 2

The sound heard in a given room with no sound sources. Each space has a particular sound which aids our identification of the kind of space we’re in.

Question 3

anachronism

Answer 3

A scenic item, prop or costume which is from a different time period than that being portrayed on stage. Usually, it’s a modern item that shouldn’t be seen in a period piece.

Question 4

auditorium

Answer 4

The part of the theatre accommodating the audience during the performance. Sometimes known as the “house

Question 5

BACKLIGHT

Answer 5

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

Question 6

fresnel

Answer 6

A type of lantern which produces an even, soft-edged beam of light through a Fresnel lens

Question 7

light curtain

Answer 7

A lighting effect which, when an area is diffused with smoke, produces a wall of light.

Question 8

uplight

Answer 8

Light from below the actors - from a light source on the stage floor.

Question 9

acoustics

Answer 9

The quality of sound in a given space, measured and analyzed by its clarity, loudness, liveliness, reverberance, echoes, dynamic range, envelopment, spaciousness, warmth and silence or noise control rating.

Question 10

chorus

Answer 10

In Greek theatre, a character (or group) representing an element in the drama which comments on the action, and advances the plot.

Question 11

DEAD ROOM

Answer 11

A room with very thick sound absorbers, causing a very dull sound with no reverberation.

Question 12

environmental sound

Answer 12

A sound that is not specifically mentioned in the text of the play, but helps to create a feeling of reality / appearance of truth. Examples include dripping water in a cave, distant organ music heard in a church graveyard, traffic heard passing outside an office

Question 13

motivated sound

Answer 13

A sound effect that is called for in the script of the play, or is motivated by the actions of a character. Examples include an actor switching on a radio to hear an announcement, an actor running a bath offstage, or a car pulling up outside the house.

Question 14

reverb

Answer 14

Effect which may be added to sound effects during recording or to a voice during performance. Sustains the sound longer than normal, as if the sound was reverberating around a large building

Question 15

thunder sheet

Answer 15

Large suspended steel sheet with handles which produces a thunder-like rumble when shaken or beaten.

Question 16

timbre

Answer 16

A musical instrument (or voice) has a quality of character that separates the sound of different instruments from each other.

Question 17

voice over

Answer 17

Refers to a technique for recording an actor’s voice and replaying it during the performance to indicate a thought process, or for more practical uses such as covering a scene change or costume change

Question 18

coloured smoke

Answer 18

Pyrotechnic device, produced by Le Maitre, which is available as a cartridge which plugs into a flash pot, and when detonated, produces an intense cloud of coloured smoke

Question 19

gauze

Answer 19

Cloth with a relatively coarse weave. Used unpainted to diffuse a scene played behind it. When painted, a gauze is opaque when lit obliquely from the front and becomes transparent when the scene behind it is lit

Question 20

apron

Answer 20

the section of the stage that [projects in front of the curtain

Question 21

black box

Answer 21

a stage type that has no specific areas for audience or performers, extremely flexible

Question 22

box set

Answer 22

a set that is proscenium arch with 3 walls around and an open 4th wall, so the action is enclosed

Question 23

episodic

Answer 23

a play written in short scenes that makes it seem cinematic

Question 24

flat

Answer 24

oblong timber frame, covered with canvas or cardboard to help present a location depending on the design painting.

Question 25

follow spot

Answer 25

a beam of light that tracks the actor, isolating the attention on them

Question 26

pre-set

Answer 26

what the audience sees before the performance starts