[SML] OISTAT theater words

[Kurt Harriman]

Some of the entries are US/UK bilingual or include synonyms, such as

     stage left (US) / prompt side (UK)
     stage right (US) / opposite prompt (UK)
     prompt corner (UK), stage manager's position (US)
     curtain call list, bows list
     curtain: tab (US), tripping (UK)
     curtain warmer / tab dressing (UK)
     fly curtain / guillotine
     apron, forestage
     deck (US) / green omit (UK) / stage floor
     man lift / cherry picker
     setting line / masonry line / plaster line (US)
     rostrum (UK) / platform (US)
     fit up / get in (UK) / load in (US)
     strike / get out (UK) / load out (US)
     scrim / gauze
     wrench (US) / spanner (UK)
     spotted (UK) / dead hang (US)
     turn buckle (US) / strainer / bottle screw (UK)
     electric, first (US) / number one spot bar
     dips (UK) (elec.) / floor pocket (US)
     footlights (US) (portable) / floats (UK)
     profile spotlight (UK) / ellipsoidal spotlight (US)
     snoot / funnel (UK) / high hat / top hat (US)
     sound check / voice test
     headset (US) / cans (UK)
     press stud (UK) / snaps (US)
     wardrobe dummy (UK) / judy / dress form (or form) (US)
     balcony (US) / circle (UK)
     reef knot (UK) / square knot (US)

"Starters!", however, is missing.


On 2026-03-14 08:16, Matthew Breton wrote:
> Does either resource differentiate between American English, British English, and other forms of English?
>
> IIRC, where Americans use "Places, please!", folks in Britain use "Starters!"  Similarly, stage right / prompt side, etc.
>
>
> Matthew Breton  |   he, him, his
> Design for Theater and Dance
> ________________________________
> From: Stagecraft <stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net> on behalf of Kurt Harriman via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
> Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2026 1:59 AM
> To: Kristi R-C <misswisc at aol.com>
> Cc: Kurt Harriman <harriman at acm.org>; stagecraft at theatrical.net <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
> Subject: Re: [SML] OISTAT theater words
>
> A paid version is available at https://theatrewords.com for€38 (pdf, instant download).
>
> It could be worth the money if you'll be working with a non English
> speaking crew.
> There are 255 page images (not searchable text). It is not conveniently
> navigable.
>
> At page 140 you'll find the index of English words. Scroll down to this
> entry:
>
>       places (please) 3.5.14
>
> Then find section 3, "Electric, Lighting, and Audio" on page 70, and
> flip ahead to section 3.5 on page 92. It has entries for these 22 terms:
>
>       3.5      intercom
>       3.5.1*   beltpack (sound)
>       3.5.2    call
>       3.5.3    call board
>       3.5.4    closed circuit TV
>       3.5.5    communication system
>       3.5.6    cue
>       3.5.7    cue button
>       3.5.8    cue light
>       3.5.9    cue light panel
>       3.5.10   cue line
>       3.5.11   cue microphone
>       3.5.12*  earphones
>       3.5.13*  headset (US) / cans (UK)
>       3.5.14   places (please)
>       3.5.15*  projection image
>       3.5.16*  radio microphone / wireless microphone
>       3.5.17   signal (sign)
>       3.5.18   stage manager's desk
>       3.5.19   stand-by cue
>       3.5.20   stand-by!
>       3.5.21*  transmitter
>       3.5.22   warning (cue)
>
> Starred (*) terms are depicted in 35 pages of nice clear drawings
> beginning at page 221. For example, there's a drawing of a bowline knot,
> labeled 8.4.2 so you can look up what it's called in 8 languages.
>
> Now you have found the entry for "places" on page 93. This is it:
>
>    3.5.14
>         D    Auf die Plätze!
>        EN    places (please)
>         F    en place, svp!
>         E    ¡a sus puestos!
>         S    På plats!
>        NL    op uw plaatsen, a.u.b.!
>         I    ognuno al suo posto!
>        RU    По местам!
>               Po miestam!
>
> And that's all. No explanations, just the equivalent term in 8 languages.
> (Other versions of the PDF are available with other languages.)
>