Learning the correct theater equipment and supplies key terms will ensure that you get what you need to realize your vision of the production being planned. Before knowing exactly what to call supplies for theater, you must have concrete visual ideas so you know what to ask for.

Knowing the key terms will help you get the theatrical equipment you want faster and more efficiently from a theatrical supplier, but using the terms incorrectly will break up the lines of communication and can end in disaster. When using key theater terms, you must do the following:

1. Always have visual representations of what exact theater supplies you want, whether it is a full color photo or a quick sketch.

2. Understand that many theater supplies have several terms to describe them, and the terms used will vary among professionals.

3. Include descriptions of what theater supplies you are talking about to avoid any misunderstanding between key players.

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Understand what theater stage supplies are called

Stage scenery can be complicated and highly technical, but one common term mentioned daily in scenic shops is 'flats,' which are plywood or canvas-covered frames placed onstage to depict buildings or backdrops. The term 'platform' is also widely used, which is a wood-covered frame that is built to change levels on the floor, and 'curtains' are used to partially or fully cover the stage.

I recommend: Look through a comprehensive glossary of theater scenic design and construction terms provided on Stagespecs.com or TheatreCrafts.com.

Know all about costume theater gear

There are countless terms that apply to theatrical costumes and costume history, but there are some that are used often, such as 'fitting' which refers to the actor trying on the costume so it can be altered to fit perfectly. Another common costume term is 'period costume,' which means a representation of what would be worn in a historical period. 'Quick change' means changing from one costume to another in a very short period of time.

I recommend: Search through costume history sorted by period at The Costumer's Manifesto to get a general understanding of the historical periods and regions and the costumes and styles that go along with them. The University of Houston has a glossary of costume terms sorted by period.

Review lighting theater equipment names

'Color gel,' 'gobo,' 'theater scrims' and 'animation wheel' are all accessories that fit into a lighting device to create a special visual effect. Some more key terms are 'light plot,' which is a drawing of the lighting plan, and 'cue-to-cue,' which is the process of refining the lighting look on actors while in rehearsal.

I recommend: Look up lighting terms provided by Pegasus Associates Lighting. Find lighting terms listed on Innovative Show Controls.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It is always helpful to be knowledgeable about art history and the terms that go along with it when planning a production using equipment for theater.

Finding the right theater equipment and supplies is the key to providing your audience an aesthetically rewarding theater experience. From the lighting to the concession area, your theater will be judged on its appearance and its design creativity, so finding the right theater supply companies is critical to creating the right mix of items.

Equipment for theater houses can be easy to find, but knowing what you need before you jump into it is critical. Don't be afraid to confer with other neighboring establishments to see what theater supplies work and which ones don't. Do you need a theatrical scrim rental, or do they recommend that you purchase all of your theater stage supplies? You can also confer with the theater equipment retailers themselves, but be prepared for a biased opinion. To start your theatrical equipment search:

1. Make your wish list and your have-to-have list of theater supplies. These will often be totally different and cost dependent.

2. Set your theater gear budget.

3. Consider if purchasing used movie theater equipment will be more cost effective for you.

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Know what theater equipment you need

If you are first starting out in the industry, you might not know theatrical equipment background information or what the terms mean. So finding out the background information and the correct terminology can help you purchase with ease.

I recommend: Check out the Glossary of Theater & Stage Equipment Terms from J.R. Clancy. Find out about how rigging works and what safety steps are necessary with Rigging Safety.

Put lighting at the top of your theater supplies list

Theatrical lighting is a critical theater equipment item that not only impacts the stage, but your outdoor ambiance as well as your lobby and concession area. It sets the tone for the show both before and after the curtains go up.

I recommend: Find lighting and supplies with free shipping on many items from StageSpot. You can find lighting, sound, pipe and drape, backline and barricade items from Zeo Brothers Productions, Inc. Look for lighting, cables, dimmers and more from The Stage Lighting Store. Find even more lighting products from Star Light and Magic, Inc.

Find a wide variety of other equipment for theater as well

Curtains, ticket machines, backgrounds and more all are additional theater supplies that you should keep in mind when setting your budget.

I recommend: Studio Productions, Inc. will custom paint logos and screens. They also rent scrim sets. Sew What? specializes in customized drapes and fabrics. Look at their products, and check out their fabric swatches. Their manufactured drapes and soft goods have been used by numerous major artists, including Slip Knot, Maroon 5, Sting, Green Day, Don Henley, James Taylor, Madonna, Dave Matthews Band and Rod Stewart. Stagecraft Industries specializes in staging, rigging and drapery. You can find a wide variety of items from Theatre Service & Supply including ticket machines, poster cases, crowd control ropes and poles, mini marquees, reader boards, waste receptacles, frames and special signs.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For high impact, choose a company that has worked with some of the biggest acts in the business. Using a company like that helps create buzz that is priceless in the public relations world.

Theater equipment is used to create a visual world around a show. Depending on the style, size and budget of the show, a lot of theater equipment and supplies can be used to create realistic shows with special effects.

Theater supplies can be used to make a believable setting for the show to take place, make the characters look realistic and make the show more entertaining. When planning the production of a show, use these theater equipment and supplies basics:

1. Set a budget for theatrical supplies.

2. Prioritize which aspects of theater design are important to your show, and start with the theater supplies that are necessary to realize your vision.

3. Critically think about how theatrical equipment can be used to achieve similar effects in more cost-effective ways.

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Build a set using the necessary theater equipment

A theatrical set is scenery used to create a performance space. It may be as simple as a curtain or a chair, or may be as complicated as a realistic interior of a building.

I recommend: Find theater supplies rental companies, like Tobins Lake Studios, to rent scenic elements like backdrops. Find companies, like FX Scenery and Display, to design sets for your production.

Include costumes in the supplies for theater

Costumes visually depict a character to the audience through the deliberate use of things like clothing, hats, shoes, masks, and wigs. Outfits can be as simple as a single colored t-shirt or be an authentic period costume.

I recommend: Find costume rental companies specializing in productions, like TheatricalCostumes.org, who rent nationally and are searchable by show name. Get costumes custom-made by Pierre's Costumes.

Check a theater supply store for props

Props are pieces of scenery that the actors or performers interact with, such as a book, a ball, a cane or a briefcase. Props are usually integral parts of a performance, and are sometimes used alone to emphasize a performance.

I recommend: Get special props custom-made by professional prop masters from Prop Warehouse, or rent props from theatrical rental companies like Past Present Future.

Theater stage supplies should include lighting

Lighting effects are used in theaters to add a feeling or atmosphere to the performance. A dark blue color may be used to depict night, a spotlight may be used for a singing solo or white overhead lights may be used simply to light an entire stage.

I recommend: Renting lighting equipment from a company like High Output is the best way to go, if the equipment will not be used over and over again. However, you can purchase lighting equipment from theatrical lighting stores like International Fun-Shop.

Get audio equipment for theater

Theater supplies usually includes audio equipment only if the theater is too large for voices to be heard in the back rows. Audio equipment might also be used in the form of speakers for sound effects or music during intermissions.

I recommend: Order high-end stage audio equipment from Production Advantage, or rent stage sound equipment from Stage Sound.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many theater companies will offer a helping hand, lending out theatrical equipment free of charge, with the understanding that you will do the same in the future.