Test your basic knowledge |

Stagecraft Basics

Subject : performing-arts
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Painted boards that the scenic designer uses to communicate with the scenic artist






2. Stage weights that remain on arbor when there are no scenery or lights attached






3. The area onstage furthest away from the audience






4. A narrow - elevated walkway above the stage or the house or stage where crew members might access lights or flown scenery






5. A curtain that travels up and down inside a guide; fire curtain track






6. (Seating) entering & exiting at extreme ends; Zellerbach Playhouse is like this






7. Best friends with Sound Tech in that both work hand in hand - makes everything work (elec) - wires - hangs - plugs & focuses according to Lighting Designer






8. Loft blocks in Zellerbach Playhouse are __________ for easier access and movement






9. Correct order of a 5 line system pipe






10. Painted set on the ground which the actors stand on






11. Also known as legs - flats or curtains at the extreme right and left of stage






12. According to what do lighting designers arrange their light plots - allowing them to follow a 'map' of the plot






13. Orchestra pit where the band plays






14. A lighting instrument characterized by hard-edged light with little diffusion; designed for long throws - it is manufactured with fixed and variable focal length lenses; the light beam is shaped with internally mounted shutters.






15. Best friends with Sound Tech in that both work hand in hand - makes everything work (elec) - wires - hangs - plugs & focuses according to Lighting Designer






16. A performance space in which the audience sits in front of the stage and views as if through a picture frame






17. Corridor or hallway to make quick passage way from one side to another - behind stage






18. Type of performance space that is small - created out of a room - painted all black; the scenery can be arranged in any way inside the box






19. Everything hands on - the person who figures out how the set will be built and then oversees construction - works closest with Scenic Director






20. Made of channels - A visual or aural signal that indicates the beginning of an action - line of dialogue - or piece of music






21. Flat view of area from a direction (north - south - east - west and in between)






22. Steel framework that runs above the stage that is used to support the rigging system






23. (Walls) - Flat pieces of theatrical scenery which are painted and positioned on stage so as to give the appearance of buildings or other background






24. Steel framework that runs above the stage that is used to support the rigging system






25. Hanging cloth used as a blind - especially for a window






26. Scenic term - deceiving the eye: from far away looks real but close it's just tricky talent






27. Two instruments - same circuit






28. What is anything downstage from the plaster line in a proscenium house?






29. Concierge - takes care of everyone - handles contracts






30. A passage situated below or behind a tier of seats in an amphitheatre - through which crowds can 'spew out' at the end of a performance.






31. The area onstage furthest away from the audience






32. Mounted to the gridiron or support steel that supports and changes the direction of a lift line rope between the load and the head block






33. The person who finds the financial investors - hires the director and production staff - sets the budget - and pays the bills for a theatrical production






34. Makes shoes






35. A curtain that can be lowered and raised onto a stage from the flies






36. Anything and everything in lobby - downstage from proscenium






37. What is anything downstage from the plaster line in a proscenium house?






38. Grainer






39. A metal cutout that is placed in front of the lens of a lighting instrument to create different shadowed images on stage






40. Main wheel at the top of the counterweight arbor system






41. Teeth per inch (razors/blades) - fewer for softer wood - more cuts through metal (unforgiving)






42. Hire and fire Managing Director and Artistic Director - these are patrons w/ money & connections - in the upper echelons of authority and want to help theater but doesn't necessarily know how






43. In the theatre - the person who decides where the lighting instruments should go - how they should be colored - and which ones should be on at any particular time






44. An imaginary line running from the front to the back of the stage through the exact center of the proscenium arch






45. Made up of dimmers - map of plot






46. Large portables pieces of the stage setting






47. First rule of any work done in theatre space or shop






48. (sizes of wood) 2 x 4 (nominal) > first milled - then changes because of shaving ... actual is 1.5 x 3.5 - for this class know 2x4 - 1x3 - 4x4... within that range






49. Reinforcers that joints in wood and metal - anything that connects (Keystone - corner block - anything that bridges two pieces together )






50. Connection between pipe batten and lift lines - before trim chain.