Booth: An enclosed, windowed area, usually at the back of the auditorium, used for technical control purposes. Sometimes there is a separate booth for sound and lighting control. The stage manager will operate from the booth communicating with the assistant stage managers through headsets.
Border: A narrow, horizontal masking piece above the stage. Borders serve to hide the lighting rig and scenery—in theatres that can “fly” or raise scenery out of sight. Borders also define the upper limit of the audience’s stage view. See also, teaser.
Call: This is a notification to cast and crew of a rehearsal or performance time. It’s also used to describe the countdown to a performance provided by stage management.
Cast: The complement of actors in a play.
Crew: The team of theatre workers—often the unsung heroes—who take care of the physical aspects of a production at each performance.
Cue: A prearranged sign that indicates to a performer, crew member or stage technician that it is time to proceed to the next line or action. Actors also listen for cues in the text so that they know when it’s time to say or do something.
Cue to Cue: One of the tech rehearsals before opening night when the technicians set their lights and sound. Usually involves a lot of standing around for the actors as they move from scene to scene and from cue to cue without full dialogue as the tech crew and director ensure that they are properly lit and properly heard.
Curtain call: What happens at the end of the play—even if there isn’t an actual curtain to signal the end—when the actors acknowledge the audience’s applause.
Dark: We say the theatre, or house, is “dark” when it’s closed to the public, as between productions or on non-performance days.
Designer: This is a person who designs sets and/or costumes for a play. Also, the person responsible for illuminating a production is often called the lighting designer.
Dialogue: Conversation in a play.