Stage Machinery Glossary
Your comprehensive reference for stage engineering terminology. From fly systems to control consoles, understand the language of professional theater machinery.
A. Hoists & Lifting Equipment
Single Point Hoist
A single point hoist is a motorized lifting device designed to raise, lower, and precisely position a single load point ...
Chain Hoist
A chain hoist is a lifting device that uses a load chain (calibrated steel link chain) and a chain wheel (sprocket) to r...
Wire Rope Hoist
A wire rope hoist is a motorized lifting device that uses a grooved drum to spool wire rope for raising and lowering loa...
Electric Hoist
An electric hoist is a general term for any motorized lifting device powered by an electric motor. In stage machinery, e...
Motorized Winch
A motorized winch is a hauling device that uses a motor-driven drum to pull rope, cable, or chain. In stage applications...
Point-to-Point Hoist
A point-to-point (P2P) hoist is a type of single point hoist designed to move a load between two or more predefined posi...
Lifting Machine
A lifting machine is a broad term encompassing any powered mechanical device used to raise, lower, or move loads vertica...
Load Capacity
Load capacity (also called rated load or rated capacity) is the maximum weight a lifting device or rigging system is des...
B. Cable & Rope Management
Wire Rope Collector
A wire rope collector is a device that neatly stores and manages excess wire rope or cable when the connected load is at...
Cable Reel
A cable reel is a rotating drum used to store, deploy, and retrieve cables or hoses. In stage applications, cable reels ...
Wire Rope
A wire rope is a mechanical rope made of multiple steel wire strands helically wound around a central core. It is the pr...
Cable Management System
A cable management system is an organized solution for routing, supporting, and protecting electrical cables and control...
Spooling Drum
A spooling drum is a precisely grooved cylindrical component on a hoist that winds and stores wire rope. The drum's groo...
C. Curtain Systems
Curtain Track
A curtain track is a mechanically guided rail system used to support and move stage curtains and drapes. It consists of ...
Traveler Track
A traveler track is a specific type of curtain track designed for bi-parting (two-panel) curtains that open from the cen...
Curtain Motor
A curtain motor is a compact electric motor unit specifically designed to drive stage curtain tracks. It converts rotati...
Bi-Parting Curtain
A bi-parting curtain is a stage curtain composed of two panels that open from the center to both sides. It is the standa...
Fire Curtain
A fire curtain (also called a safety curtain or fire safety curtain) is a fire-resistant barrier installed at the prosce...
Cyclorama
A cyclorama (commonly called a "cyc") is a large, seamless curtain or curved surface at the rear of the stage used as a ...
Stage Drape
A stage drape is any fabric panel hung in a theater or performance venue for masking, decoration, or acoustic purposes. ...
D. Stage Lifts & Elevators
Stage Lift
A stage lift is a powered platform that raises and lowers performers, scenery, or equipment between different levels. St...
Scissor Lift
A scissor lift is a type of stage lift that uses a crossed-beam (scissor) mechanism to provide vertical elevation. The c...
Orchestra Pit Lift
An orchestra pit lift is a specialized stage lift that converts between an orchestra pit (below stage level), a stage ex...
Elevating Stage
An elevating stage is a large platform that can be raised or lowered to adjust the stage height or create multiple perfo...
Vertical Lift
A vertical lift is a compact, guided lifting platform used for small-scale elevation changes in stage environments. Comm...
E. Control Systems
Stage Control System
A stage control system is the centralized electronic system that operates and monitors all motorized stage machinery — i...
PLC Controller
A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is an industrial-grade computer used to automate stage machinery operations. In st...
DMX Control
DMX512 (Digital Multiplex) is the standard digital communication protocol used in entertainment technology to control li...
Emergency Stop
An emergency stop (E-stop) is a safety device that immediately halts all motion in a stage machinery system when activat...
Safety Interlock
A safety interlock is a device or system that prevents a machine from operating when unsafe conditions exist. In stage m...
F. Flying & Rigging Systems
Batten
A batten is a horizontal pipe or tube suspended above the stage from which scenery, lighting, and curtains are hung. It ...
Flying System
A flying system (or "fly system") is the complete rigging system used to raise and lower scenery, curtains, and lighting...
Counterweight System
A counterweight system is a manually-operated flying system where the load on a batten is balanced by iron or steel weig...
Head Block
A head block is a multi-sheave (multi-groove) pulley assembly mounted at the top of the fly tower above the stage. It re...
Sheave
A sheave (pronounced "shiv") is a grooved wheel designed to guide and redirect a rope or cable. Sheaves are the fundamen...
Grid / Gridiron
A grid (or gridiron) is the structural framework of steel beams located above the stage that supports all rigging loads ...
Rigging
Rigging refers to the complete system of ropes, cables, pulleys, hardware, and equipment used to suspend and move loads ...
Truss
A truss is a rigid structural framework made from aluminum or steel tubes arranged in triangular patterns. In stage and ...
G. Safety Standards & Testing
Safe Working Load (SWL)
Safe Working Load (SWL) is the maximum weight that a lifting device, component, or rigging system is approved to carry d...
Factor of Safety
Factor of Safety (FoS) is the ratio between a component's breaking strength and its maximum working load. It provides a ...
EN 17206
EN 17206:2021 is the European safety standard for stage machinery. It specifies the safety requirements for the design, ...
ANSI E1.4
ANSI E1.4 is the American standard for entertainment rigging safety. Published by the Entertainment Services and Technol...
Load Test
A load test is a verification procedure where a stage machinery system is subjected to a load greater than its rated cap...
Fail-Safe Brake
A fail-safe brake is a braking device that automatically engages (stops motion) when power is removed or lost. In stage ...
Limit Switch
A limit switch is a position-sensing device that stops a motorized stage device at a predetermined point of travel. Ever...
H. Venue Types
Proscenium Theater
A proscenium theater is the most traditional theater form, with a framed arch (the proscenium arch) separating the stage...
Black Box Theater
A black box theater is a flexible performance space with minimal fixed architecture — typically a rectangular room paint...
Multi-Function Hall
A multi-function hall (or multipurpose venue) is a flexible event space designed to accommodate various types of events ...
Auditorium
An auditorium is the audience seating area of a performance venue. The term is also used generically to describe the ent...
Fly Tower
A fly tower (also called a fly loft or fly gallery) is the vertical space above the stage enclosed by the building struc...