Theatrical Definitions
Eternity
The time that passes between a dropped cue and the next line
Prop
A hand-carried object small enough to be lost by an actor 30 seconds before it is needed on stage
Director
The individual who suffers from the delusion that he or she is responsible for every moment of brilliance cited by the critic in the local review
Blocking
The art of moving actors on the stage in such a manner as not to collide with the walls, the furniture, the orchestra pit or each other. Similar to playing chess, except that the pawns want to argue with you.
Blocking Rehearsal
A rehearsal taking place early in the production schedule where actors frantically write down movements which will be nowhere in evidence by opening night
Stage Manager
Individual responsible for overseeing the crew, supervising the set changes, baby-sitting the actors and putting the director in a hammerlock to keep him from killing the actor who just decided to turn his walk-on part into a major role by doing magic tricks while he serves the tea.
Lighting Designer
Individual who, from the only vantage point offering a full view of the stage, gives the stage manager a heart attack by announcing a play-by-play of everything that’s going wrong
Makeup Kit
(1) among experienced amateur actors, a battered tackle box loaded with at least 10 shades of greasepaint in various stages of desiccation, tubes of lipstick and blush, assorted pencils, bobby pins, braids of crepe hair, liquid latex, old programs, jewellery, break-a-leg greeting cards from past shows, brushes and a handful of half-melted cough drops;
(2) for first-time male actors, a helpless look and anything they can borrow.
