The Bridge
A suspended walkway above the audience to give technicians access to lighting equipment.
Booms
Vertical racks of lights in the wings that create the side lighting.
Catwalk
A bridge above the stage or audience that is interlinked with several pathways. It can also be above the stage.
Cyclorama
A white or grey piece of cloth or plastic hung at the back of the stage. It is sometimes left unlit, but is usually lit with a wash or similar lighting effect.
Front of House
In the context of lighting, this refers to lighting hung beyond the proscenium arch in the auditorium.
Fly Tower
The fly tower allows for fixed scenery to be ‘flown’ up out of the sight of the audience and lowered to the stage when needed.
Gels
Coloured pieces of plastic that are slotted in front of lights to create coloured lighting effects.
Gobos
Metal or glass cut shapes to create patterns on the cyclorama or stage floor.
Lamps/Lanterns
Terms used for lights.
Legs
The black fabric that is hung to mask the wings.
Masking
This refers to the direction the legs are hung in. If the legs are hung from stage left to stage right, it is known as Ballet or French Masking. If the legs are hung running up and down stage, it is known as German Masking.
Overheads
The rows of lights hanging above the stage.
Wings
The sides of the stage where dancers wait to go onstage.
