Theatre Terms
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| Theatre Terms (A-Z) Sort descending | Definition |
|---|---|
| DESIGNER | In the creation of a theatre production the person who decides what the performers will wear, what kind of environment they will inhabit, how they will be lighted, or how their sound will be projected, is usually called a theatre designer. |
| Designer's Run OR Designers Run | A "designer's run" is a rehearsal where the cast performs the entire show for the creative team, allowing designers to see how lighting, sound, costumes, and sets work together, and make adjustments to lighting cues, sound levels, or costume fit before tech week. Designers can observe how the actors interact with the set, how the costumes look on stage, and how the lighting and sound enhance the performance. In some theatres, the company’s marketing and public relations staff attend, as well, including those working with social media. This gives them a better idea of how to enhance communications about the show as it nears opening. |
| DEUS EX MACHINA | In the ancient Greek and Roman theatre, this referred to a god that provided the resolution of the play (literally, "a god from a machine."). In modern drama, sometimes used to mean an unlikely resolution of the problem posed in a play. |
| DEVELOPMENT | 1) In dramatic construction, the events after the exposition that complicates the plot; a logical series in cause and effect. 2) In characterization, a change and expansion in character traits within a dramatic piece. |
| DI BOX | Interface unit to convert the high impedance unbalanced output of an instrument (e.g. Electric guitar) into a low impedance balanced signal of low level suitable for connection to the microphone input of a mixing desk. Usually has an output jack socket so that the instrument's unprocessed signal can be passed direct to the musician's amplifier. DI = Direct Injection. |
| DIALOG or DIALOGUE | Lines in a stage entertainment or dramatic work, usually those in which at least to persons take part (as opposed to monologue). Thus dramatic or stage dialogue. |
| DIAPHRAGM | Typically, another name for an Iris. Most stage lighting units project a circle of light. An iris lets you reduce the size of that circle. In it's full open position you will have the size circle of light your unit naturally puts out but you can reduce it with closing the iris. |
| DICHROIC FILTER | Glass color filters which reflect all light except that which is the color of the filter, which passes through. Normal gels absorb the unwanted colors, turning the light into heat. Diachronic filters run cooler, and produce a much cooler beam of light. Longer lasting, but a lot more expensive. |
| DICHROIC LAMP | Low voltage display lamp with a reflector that lets heat pass through it, rather than reflecting it. Results in a much "cooler" light. |
| DIFFUSE | To spread light softly, often by use of a diffusing medium. |
| DIFFUSION/DIFFUSING MEDIUM | A filter used to soften the edges of a light beam. Different strengths of diffuser (sometimes called "frost") are available from many color filter manufacturers. |
| DIGITAL | Many electronic devices use digital logic. Information is handled in separate bits (either ON or OFF) rather than continuously variable analogue signals. Most computer lighting boards give a digital multiplexed output, and most new sound equipment is digital. |
| DIGITAL DIMMER | Dimmers that can respond directly to the digital multiplexed output of the lighting desk. The technology also permits the dimmer to report faults and other data back to the control board. |
| DIGITAL RECORDING | 1) ADAM : (Akai Digital Audio Multitrack). 12 track recording onto Video 8 tape. 16 bit, 44)1 or 48kHz sampling rate. 2) DAT (Digital Audio Tape) Cassette-like system which has much higher quality than standard audio cassettes. Widely used in gathering sound effects, for news gathering, and for playback of music. 3) DCC (Digital Compact Cassette) Rival to DAT which also plays standard audio cassettes. 4) Mini Disk : Uses computer disk technology, rather than tape. A laser heats an area of magnetic disk which is then written to by a magnetic head. When cooled, the magnetic information is read from the disk by laser. Tracks can be named, and are instant start. Very theatre-friendly system. 5) Direct to Disk : Uses the hard disk present in most PCs as the recording medium. |
| DIM | To decrease the stage illumination, as in "Dim the spot." |
| DIMMER | Electrical or electronic device that controls the amount of electricity passed to a lamp, and therefore the intensity of the lamp. |
| DIMMER RACK | A number of individual dimmer circuits mounted in a cabinet. |
| DIN | Deutscher Industrie Normen. European standard covering audio connectors and tape equalization characteristics. |
| DISCHARGE LAMP | A high-powered source of light produced by means of a discharge between two electrodes. An arc light, for example uses a discharge between two carbon rods which are manually or automatically fed together as they are burnt up. The use of this type of lighting is restricted to non-dimming applications such as followspots and projection, where dimming is achieved by mechanical means. Many of the new generation of moving lights use discharge lamps and diachronic filters. |
| DISCOVER | To reveal a scene, a person, etc., to the audience, often by the opening of a curtain or bringing up stage lighting. Thus, "Barnes is discovered upstage left, smoking." |