Dead Hung Rigging typically consists of steel pipe battens, individually hung or as a grid, suspended from the ceiling structure without the ability to move up and down. These battens can be suspended with cable, chain or threaded rod (see suspension hardware) and are used to hang curtain track, curtains, lights, or scenery. This type of rigging is perfect for lower ceiling heights and tighter budgets. The disadvantage is that for maintenance work it is necessary to get up to the batten as opposed to having the batten come to you.

Deflection of a truss is generally based on the amount of vertical movement from its original position due to the loads applied to the members. The amount of deflection depends on the span and stiffness of the members, and the magnitude of the loads applied.

Slang for the area designated for staging and placement of dimmer racks and power distros, disconnects and related control gear.

AKA "strike" or breakdown the set and clear the location

A small section of galvanized steel cable fastened as hoops at both end used by riggers, attach to motors to various pick points.

Generic terms referring to architectural drawings such as floor plans, engineering schematics, fire marshal permit submissions and other forms of printed illustrations.

Term referring to show crew operating key systems from the audience point of view.

Any flat, continuous band, such as that adjacent and perpendicular to a ceiling soffit, the portion of a wall above built-in cabinets, or the outer face of a parapet wall or projecting roof.

An object placed inside or in front of a light source to control the shape of the emitted light and its shadow (such as a gobo arm or gobo head).

A Sling made of galvanized steel aircraft cables with a fire retardant polyester jacket commonly available in 18", 3', 4' and 6' lengths

Heavy cotton cloth pressure-sensitive tape with strong adhesive and tensile properties. It is widely used in theatre, photography, film, radio and television production, and industrial staging work. While sometimes confused with duct tape, gaffer tape differs in the composition of both the backing, which is made from fabric as opposed to vinyl or other plastics, and the adhesive, which is more resistant to heat and more easily removed without damaging the surface to which it adhered.

Colored, translucent sheets of thin plastic. Photographers, filmmakers, and stage lighting technicians use them as filters to correct color and lighting issues.