A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Z

Gaffer: In film, a crew member who places lighting and electrical equipment and instruments.
Gate: The focal plane of a profile spot into which gobos and iris diaphragms can be placed.
Gauze: A loosely-woven cloth on which a scene can be painted. When lit from the front, it is opaque and only the painted scene is seen; when lit from behind, however, it becomes transparent. Commonly used in pantomime.
G-clamp: Used for fastening lanterns to a bar. A G-shaped piece of metal with a screw through the bar of the G which clamps to the lighting bar.
Gel: A filter placed over the front of a lantern to change the color of the light.
Geste: A physicalised attitude that becomes symbolic of the contradictions involved in the unit of action.
Ghost Light: A light left on when the theatre is locked up for the night.
Given Circumstances: Time, place, date, season, political climate, economic climate, philosophical climate, religious climate, social circumstances.
Glow Tape: Tape that glows in the dark, placed in small pieces around the set so the actors and crew will not bump into anything during a blackout.
Go Up: In theatre slang, a show does not start, it "goes up"; i.e. the curtain goes up.
Gobo: A piece of metal or glass, which fits into the gate of a profile spot and projects a pattern onto the set. Gobos can be very complex. They are first fitted into a gobo holder. Holders vary in size (each type of lantern requires a different size), although the gobos themselves are of a standard size. Most basic gobos are made of metal but very complex patterns can be created on glass gobos. Also called Template.
Gofer: An errand runner - who is continually asked to "go for this and go for that".
Golden Time: Overtime after the 16th hour for theatrical talent.
Green Room: A backstage room used by actors and crew as a waiting and meeting area.
Grid: A steel framework above the stage from which the fly system is rigged.
Grip: Crew member who moves scenery such as set furniture pieces or props.
Ground Cloth: A heavy piece of muslin used to cover the stage floor.
Ground Plan: A scale diagram that shows where the scenery is placed on the stage floor. Also called Floor Plan.
Groundrow: 1) A batten placed on the floor of the stage, usually to light a cyclorama . 2) Occasionally used to mean freestanding scenery, of a low height, running along the back of the stage in front of the back wall or cyclorama.