Overheard Actor Line #4: "I'm on the Tony train..."

"I'm on the Tony train, you better watch out"-- sarcastic line by an actor after doing an insignificant cross, that his work will get him a Tony.

Term of the Night: first, first call

first, first call--the first stagehand the head calls when a new show is coming into a theater. "I'm his first," said the extra stagehand of his relationship with the head.

Term of the day: upstate Manhattan

upstate Manhattan--hipster term for the Inwood and northern Washington Heights neighborhoods in upper Manhattan. Occasionally younger stagehands, wardrobe people and actors find affordable apartments up there. The A train, when running express, makes the commute quick.

Term of the Day: work-around

work-around--finding alternatives to working with an incompetent  or nasty head, or a bad production manager during a load-in.

Term of the Day: to walk

to walk--when a tool, prop or other personal or company possession is stolen. "During the last load out, my Makita to a walk." "I like buying Ryobi tools...they are so cheap, that if they walk, I am not heartbroken."

Term of the Day: a rinse and repeat job

a rinse and repeat job--when you are doing a job multiple times, you should be doing it faster. "C'mon, putting blinds on the back of the windows on the set is a rinse and repeat job...it shouldn't take you as long as the first one." It is a reference to the instructions on a shampoo bottle.

Word of the Moment: Gig Butt

Gig butt: After a long day of running around during a summer load in, stagehands of both sexes will experiences painful chafing. Baby powder works, but vaseline on the thighs works better.

Term of the Day: Don't show your teeth until you have to

Don't show your teeth until you have to--controlling signs of aggression in a confrontation.