If you come across a mule, skirt or carriage in a theatre or performance setting, they likely won’t be what you think. We continue our series on stage and theatre terminology.
Theatre Rope System Terms
Belaying pin: This metal or wooden pin is inserted in pin rails to secure ropes.
Clew: This triangular metal plate connects multiple ropes or changes from a single line to several to raise them together.
Hand lines: Also known as operating lines, these ropes are used to raise and lower battens.
Head block: Head blocks are pulley assemblies that can handle multiple lines at the top of a fly system.
Lift line: A lift line is a rope used to lift and lower scenery.
Line cleat: This horned device is used in place of a belaying pin and rail to secure a rope in place.
Loft block: This type of pulley allows individual lines to pass through battens.
Outrigger: Outriggers are horizontal guardrails that support suspended elements secured beyond the main battens, usually higher than 10 feet.
Pin rail: Used to support drapery and hand lines, a pin rail is a horizontal railing used to tie off the ends of a rope system.
Set: This grouping of belaying pins, lift lines and pulleys supports a single batten.
Theatre Counterweight System Terms
Compound carriage: Also known as a compound arbor, this type of counterweight carriage is used in tight spaces.
Counterweight/weight: Sometimes called an iron, counterweights are weights used to balance the load on a batten.
Counterweight carriage: A counterweight carriage or arbor is a steel frame that balances suspended loads.
Floor block: This pulley is located near the floor in a lock rail assembly to guide and maintain tension in purchase lines.
Index strip: This metal strip identifies which battens are controlled by individual lock rails.
Lead line/leed: This supporting line connects a counterweight carriage to the batten through a system of blocks.
Lock rail: This horizontal bar is usually mounted on the side of a stage and contains rope locks and other supporting framework.
Mule/donkey: A mule or donkey is a portable motorized winch used to move imbalanced counterweight sets.
Muling block: This pulley diverts lead line routes.
Rope lock: As a clamping device, a rope lock prevents unwanted movement in purchase lines.
Theatre Drapery Terms
Backdrop: A drape at the back of the stage, or the rear drape of a full scene.
Box cyc: A type of cyclorama, a box cyclorama encloses the performance area on three sides to create a seamless backdrop.
Border: A border is a type of drape used at the top of a stage to cover grids and fly systems.
Concert drape: A concert drape is part of the traveler and masks areas of the stage behind the main drape.
Cornice: This decorative structure is above the proscenium arch and covers the upper portion of the stage.
Cyclorama set: This set of drapes defines the visual space of a stage and includes main drapes, borders and legs.
Cycloramas/cyc: A large curved or flat curtain, a cyclorama can serve as a backdrop or projection surface for lighting.
Drop: Drops are fabric drapes that touch the stage floor.
Fire drapes: These drapes are made of fire-resistant asbestos and lower automatically in response to high temperatures.
Front drapes: Drapes that complement the main drape and enhance the stage appearance.
Grand border: This drape is located behind the main drape and masks the upper part of the stage.
Guillotine: Designed to be vertically raised or lowered, a guillotine includes full drapes for visual effects.
Header: A narrow horizontal drape, headers are placed above doors and windows.
Horseshoe cyc: Like a box cyc, a horseshoe cyc curves around the back of a stage toward the proscenium wall.
Intermediate traveler: An intermediate traveler is a curtain behind the intermission drape that can be used for transitions.
Intermission drape: An intermission drape separates the stage from the auditorium during a break in a performance.
Lambrequin: A lambrequin is a border drape stretched over a rigid structure to enhance the stage’s visual design.
Leg drops: These vertical drapes hide stage wings.
Main drape: Also known as a front curtain or grand drapery, the main drape is a pleated curtain that hides the stage before a performance.
Open cyc: A type of cyclorama with entrances into the performance area.
Painted/scene drop: This is a flat curtain painted with scenery.
Proscenium legs: Vertical drapes within the proscenium arch that help mask backstage areas from view.
Scrim drop: This lightweight, transparent curtain is used for visual effects and transitions.
Scene drape: Used during quick transitions, a scene drape provides short-term stage concealment.
Skirt: A narrow drape hung below a stage to conceal the floor and technical elements.
Sky drop: Usually painted blue, a sky drop is a large, plain curtain used to simulate the sky.
Tab: A drape pulled upward from one side to quickly reveal or conceal parts of a stage.
Teaser border: A teaser is the first border behind the main drape employed to hide rigging and lights.
Tormentor legs: Tormentor legs hide backstage areas behind the main drape.
Traveler: A two-piece drape run on a horizontal track used during scene changes.
Valance: A valance is a pleated curtain above the proscenium arch.
Stage Direction Terms
Acting area: The portion of the stage viewed by the audience.
Backstage: The area offstage, including the wings and dressing rooms.
Cross-over: A corridor between the backdrop and rear wall that allows performers to cross the stage unseen.
Dead side: The side of the stage opposite from rigging and operation equipment.
Left/right stage: The areas of the stage to a performer’s right or left when facing the audience.
One, two and three: These terms are parts of the acting area. One is downstage third, two is center third and three is upstage third.
Onstage/offstage: Onstage is the acting area, while offstage includes anywhere outside the performance space.
Opposite side/OPS: The wall opposite the prompter side.
Prompter’s side/PS: A portion of the proscenium wall that houses the prompter.
Upstage/downstage: Upstage is the rear of the performance area, and downstage is the part of the stage closest to the audience.
Wings: These areas are located offstage to the left and right of the acting area.
Working side: The side of the stage where rigging equipment and technical components are handled.
Theatre Rigging Solutions at Tiffin Scenic
Each space is unique and presents opportunities for creative rigging solutions. We pride ourselves on designing custom theatre and stage solutions to suit your needs. Contact Tiffin Scenic to learn about our design, installation and inspection services.
