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Theatre Terms

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Theatre Terms (A-Z) Definition
LASH To pull two flats together, edge to edge, by winding a lash line over lash line cleats in back.
LASH CLEAT

A small metal hook screwed into the frame of a theatrical flat for attaching a lash line, which is a rope or cable anchored onto the stage floor.
LASH LINE A rope line used to fasten flats or other scenic units to one another.
LASH LINE CLEAT A small metal piece that can be screwed into the back of a flat frame, with a projecting tip over which a lash line can be slipped.
LAUGH LINE A line of dialogue that is calculated to produce a laugh from the audience.
LAVALIER MICROPHONE Originally, a mic worn around the neck on a string. Now applies to a small "tieclip" microphone.
LAY 'EM IN THE AISLES To make an audience laugh hysterically. Thus, said of a show or performer who is successful in the effort to be funny.
LAY AN EGG Said of a production or performance that fails miserably. Sometimes said of an actor whose jokes or funny business falls flat.
LC or L.C.

Abbreviation of "Left Center" area of the stage.
LEAD A principal role; also an actor who plays a principal role.
LEADER TAPE (Now mostly obsolete) Non-magnetic plastic tape used to begin and end sound tapes and to separate cues on reel-to-reel tape. Clear leader tape is used to activate the automatic stop on some playback machines. Leader tape is available in a variety of colors.
LEAK To leak light; said when the crack between two flats lashed together lets light through, or when a lighting instrument's beam is not properly channeled by barn doors or top hat.
LED

A light-emitting diode (LED) offers many advantages over traditional incandescent and fluorescent light sources, including lower energy consumption, cool-running, longer lifetime, improved robustness, smaller size and faster switching. 

LED lights have revolutionized theatre by offering huge energy savings, longer life, and incredible color flexibility without gels, though initial cost and specific color rendering quality (like warm tones) used to be hurdles, but modern high-CRI (Color Rendering Index) and multi-color (RGBW/Lime) LEDs from brands like ETC and ADJ now provide superior performance, making them standard for everything from washes (PARs, strips) to moving lights and followspots, replacing older tungsten fixtures for efficiency and creative control. 

Advantages of LED Stage Lighting

  • Energy Efficiency: Uses significantly less power than traditional lamps, reducing venue load and costs.
  • Longevity: LEDs last much longer (up to 20x traditional bulbs), slashing maintenance and bulb replacement costs.
  • Color Control: Create millions of colors instantly with RGB/RGBAW/Lime mixing, eliminating the need for physical gels.
  • Low Heat: Produce less heat, making backstage areas more comfortable and reducing HVAC load.
  • Versatility: Available in all forms (PARs, strips, profiles, moving heads, blinders) with features like DMX control, zoom, and strobing.

Key Types of LED Fixtures

  • PAR Cans: Ubiquitous, now much lighter and more efficient.
  • Wash Lights: LED strips and PARs provide broad color washes.
  • Moving Lights: Offer dynamic effects with pan, tilt, zoom, and color.
  • Profiles/Ellipsoidals: High-quality units (like ETC Source Four LEDs) with great color (Lustr X8) for precise beam shaping.
  • Blinders/Strobes: COB (Chip-on-Board) LEDs for intense audience-facing effects.

Considerations

  • Cost: Upfront cost can be higher, but life-cycle cost is often lower.
  • Color Quality: Look for high CRI or specific arrays (like Lime) for rich, accurate colors, especially whites and flesh tones.
  • Brightness: Older or cheaper LEDs might not match traditional lamps at extreme throws, but newer models are closing this gap.
  • Fan Noise: Fanless or silent-fan designs are preferred for quiet theatre environments.

In essence, LEDs are now the industry standard, offering unparalleled flexibility and efficiency for modern theatrical productions. 

 
LEG or LEGS

A leg is a drape used to mask (hide) one side of the acting area. Usually set up in pairs on either side of the stage and used in conjunction with borders to frame the audiences' view.

Both legs and borders are used primarily to mask (or block) spaces from the audience’s view. Hung parallel to (and behind) the proscenium, the legs frame the acting space and create different places for actors or set pieces to enter or exit the stage. While legs are hung to the right and left of the stage, borders are a type of curtain that hang above. 
LEGITIMATE THEATRE Professionally produced stage plays as distinguished from films, variety shows, theme park performance.
LEKO A commonly used term for an ellipsoidal spotlight, named after its inventors (Levy and Kook), the names Leko and Lekolite are trademarked by Strand Lighting Co.
LENS Optical glass with one or both sides curved, the purpose of which is to direct light by concentrating or dispersing light beams.
LEVEL 1) A platform or other area for acting, above the stage floor. 2) Generically, as in "levels," to indicate a director or choreographer's positioning of performers on platforms, steps, etc. in order to get a more interesting stage picture.
LICENSE On behalf of the author(s) the representative grants a license to produce the show and collects a fee, or "royalty," for this license. Built into each performance license is specific language which governs how the copyrighted work must be presented. The license is not valid until the representative has double-checked availability, sent you a confirmation of the terms, and your check has cleared.
LIFT The orchestra pit and/or sections of the stage may be mounted on lifts to make moving of heavy items (e.g. piano etc.) easier. Sometimes the forestage doubles as the orchestra pit by use of a lift.