F is for first night, front of House and Flashback when you suddenly remember that part of the play you had forgotten. This is the next edition of the Glossary of theatre terms that may or may not have seemed totally bewildering to you before you read this.

So let’s Face Further Forward and see …

Fade: A light intensity or sound level change over a set number of seconds. For example, the lights on stage may fade to a blackout over 5 seconds. See also Bump

Fade in/out:  (sneak in/out) Gradual dim up or down of lights or fade up or down of sound.

Fader: A sliding lever on a lighting or sound control board used to adjust the intensity or volume of a cue smoothly.

Feedback:  A high or low level squeal caused by the output of a sound monitor feeding back into the system via an open microphone.

Filter:  Colour medium in front of a light. Commonly called a gel (gelatine).

Fire curtain: A large sheet of material that, in case of a fire emergency, comes down up stage of the proscenium and completely blocks the stage from the audience. This ensures that fire does not spread to the audience if there is a fire onstage (or vice versa). There is not always afire curtain in theatres.

First night: the first public performance of a play or other production

First night nerves: describes the anxiety that some actor feels when performing during the first night of a play.

Flash: pyrotechnic effect used to create a smoke & coloured flash – used with caution because of risk.

Flat: A panel of scenery, usually traditionally constructed of canvas stretched over a wooden frame and painted often these days constructed from plywood/hardboard. May be hinged or doubled to enable a quick change of scene.

Flood: A lantern that produces a broad non-variable spread of light.

Fly gallery: Area used for tying lines, loading counterweights and

sometimes operating the rigging during the show.

Fly in/out:  To raise or lower scenery and equipment above the

performing area by means of a rigging system.

Fly Tower:  The space above the stage into which scenery and lighting equipment are raised out of sight of the audience. Also known as the “Fly Space” or simply “the Flies”.

Focus lights:  To set and adjust the focus, iris and direction of the light throw as required to light predetermined areas of the stage.

FOH:  see Front of House below.

Follow spot:  A high intensity light unit mounted on a swivel base which allows the operator to follow the performers. Generally with colour filters, iris and shutters.

Footlights: A row of low-profile lights set at floor level along the very front edge of the stage, used historically (and sometimes stylistically) to cast up-lighting and reduce harsh facial shadows.

Fourth Wall: An invisible dividing “wall” between the stage and audience. Actors will sometimes “break the fourth wall” and interact with or speak directly to the audience.

Fresnel:  (pronounced furnel) A lens reduced in thickness by making curved sections into concentric rings and stepping them back towards the plane.

Front-of-House (or F.O.H.) – Any part of the theatre, such as the auditorium or lobby, which is usually accessible to the public. Front-of-house lighting positions are located in the auditorium rather than in the stage area.

Frost:  Translucent gel used to diffuse and soften light. Useful in blending area lights and softening harsh light edges.

Full: - (or Full-Up) Refers to maximum intensity of light unit or sound system.