Tools of the Trade
A specialized ruler used by architects and engineer to read plans.
What is a Scale Ruler?
What is blocking notation?
This is mounted on a wall in a prominent area (either in the rehearsal space or theatre) for the posting of important information.
What is the callboard?
The person whose job is it to help the stage manager with running rehearsals and organizing the show, and often helps run backstage during technical rehearsals and performances.
Who is the Assistant Stage Manager?
This is the call for when actors and crew should be in their proper places backstage to run the show.
What is "places"?
This is the technical term for a small portion of a scene used for audition purposes.
What is a side?
A scale replica of this is taped out on the floor in the rehearsal space by the stage manager before blocking rehearsals begin.
What is a groundplan?
This is a rehearsal where actors go through the script saying their lines without blocking, props, etc., and may not even be held on stage.
What is a "line through"?
This person is responsible for overseeing and accomplishing all the technical aspects of a production.
Who is the Technical Director?
This is another term for the place where the audience sits in a theatre.
What is "the house"?
This term refers to the number/letter of a change in lighting or sound, but also the point at which an actor/crew person must do something.
What is the contact sheet?
This is a document sent out to the production team after each rehearsal detailing who was present, what happened, and any communication needed as a result of that rehearsal.
What is the rehearsal report?
This person is a member of the company who job it is to keep any dance numbers up to the level they were when the show opened.
Who is the Dance Captain?
This is another term for "the stage floor", also a stack of cards.
What is "the deck"?
These are set up in the house for the creative staff and stage manager during technical rehearsals.
What is a "tech table"?
This is the term for any work accomplished before rehearsals begin.
What is "pre-production"?
The technical term for the first rehearsal for a musical production in which the actors sit and sing through the entire show with the orchestra/band for the first time.
What is the "Sitzprobe?"
This name for the group of people that are required for the operation of each performance.
What is the "running crew"?
This term refers to the positioning of all props, scenery, and lighting for the opening of an act.
What is the "preset"?
This document is sent out on the day (or day before) a rehearsal and lists out who is called and what will be worked and any other pertinent information.
What is the daily call?
A master spreadsheet detailing who is in each scene of a production and some indication of action and setting.
What is the scene breakdown?
These rehearsals are called typically after the start of a run of performances to return the production to its original form or intent.
What is a "brush-up rehearsal"?
This person is responsible for hanging and focusing the light plot.
Who is the master electrician?
This is the speech given to the audience prior to curtain up that informs them of any updates or rules to be aware of.
What is the Preshow Announcement?