H is for House and for Hold but for me now mainly for HELP as there just aren’t that many theatrical terms starting with H Here’s to the ones we have managed to find and hen H is for Hoping to find more starting with I next time…

Ham: I am sure we all know this one - as it is exaggerated over-acting.

Handbill: a printed announcement of a forthcoming show

Headset: - Usually a headphone and microphone combination used in such communications systems with a beltpack. Can be a general term for theatre communication equipment. They are also known as Cans.

Hold: that important moment when a cast member pauses for laughter or applause to die down before continuing thus en during nothing us missed

Hoofer: a professional dancer, especially one who performs as part of a job, such as in musical theatre, vaudeville, or nightclub shows

Hotspot: the brightest part of the beam – usually the centre of the beam of light

House: the audience as in “how big is the House today” or can be for the whole Auditorium

House Lights: the Auditorium lighting, normally dimmed before the performance starts and raised at the interval and end of the show to allow the audience to take their seats easily and safely or maybe to make sure they can see to get the lid off their ice cream in the interval.

House Tabs: the main curtains usually hanging downstage, just behind the proscenium arch. Typically opened and closed during performances to reveal or conceal the stage and scenery from the audience.