Terminology
Ambient Light
Any outside light such as sunlight coming through windows, or overhead room light
Amplifier (audio amplifier)
Increases the amplitude of sound to a level suitable for driving loud speakers
Apron
The part of a stage in a theater extending in front of the curtain
Audio Mixers
A component that combines more than one sound input for composite output
Backlight
A type of illumination from behind the subject or stage
Backdrop
A cloth, drape or panel hung at the back of a stage set
Duplex Outlet
A double electrical outlet
Floor Port
A utility box recessed in the floor with electrical, telephone, or plumbing connections
Front Screen Projection
Image is projected to the front of the screen
House Lights
Existing lights in a facility, usually dimmed prior to a show in which stage lights are used
Lavalier Microphone
Wireless microphone that can be affixed to a lapel of a speaker, also known as a “Lapel Microphone,” “Pendant Microphone,” or "Clip-On Microphone"
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
A display and lighting technology used to create ambient lighting
Masking Drape
Fabric used to cover storage or other areas that should not be displayed
Multimedia
Combined use of several audio-visual media in a presentation
Overhead Projector
Equipment that projects enlarged images of written or pictorial material onto a screen or wall from a transparency placed below the projector and lighted from underneath
P.A. System (Public Address System)
A loudspeaker; a system that amplifies sound in one large area or throughout several rooms
Pipe and Drape
Fixed or adjustable height vertical upright bars supported by a weighted steel base, and adjustable or fixed horizontal bars that provide a support frame for removable drape panels; may be used for academic posters, stage backdrops, photo backdrops, room dividers or to hide storage equipment
Podium
A platform on which a speaker may stand
Projection Screen
Surfaces upon which images are projected
Quad Box
Four electrical outlets in one box
Rear Screen Projection
A video technique in which images are projected on the back surface of a screen positioned between the projector and the audience
Risers
A platform for people or materials, often put together to form a stage
Roving Microphone
A hand-held, wireless microphone brought to audience members who have comments or questions
Sign Standard
A frame on a stand into which a sign can be inserted for display
Spotlight
A lamp that provides a defined circle of light projected upon a person or object
Stage Lighting
Lighting used for the stage
Stanchions
Posts that are sometimes attached with rope, used to guide traffic; posts can also display signs
Standing Microphone
Microphone mounted on an adjustable floor stand and intended to remain in the same location throughout a presentation
Table Microphone
Stationary microphone set up at a table
Technical Rehearsal
Rehearsal that checks sound and lights
Teleprompter
A device that projects moving copy from the script in front of the speaker so that the talent can read it without losing eye contact with the audience
Teleconference
Simultaneous conference to multiple sites distributed via audio (phone or other audio)
Telescopic Pipe
Tubing used to support drapes, in which one section slides inside another, making it an adjustable length
Throw Distance
Projection distance; useful to know based on the layout and size of the room
Truss
Structural element hung above for the purpose of suspending lighting equipment to illuminate exhibit components or a stage
Videoconference
A meeting, instructional session, or conversation between people at different locations relying on video technology as the primary communication
