Term of the Day: a haircut

a haircut--when you cut the top off a prop or a small piece of scenery, so it can be accommodated backstage. "We had to give the bookcase unit a haircut so it would fit on the set."

Term of the Day: good government job

good government job--job on a long-running show. Dependable pay, like the post office or some other civil service job. "Working on 'Phantom' is a good government job."

Archaic Verb of the Day: to troupe

to troupe--to travel as a member of a theatrical company. "We trouped through Detroit and several Midwestern cities." As a noun, troupe means a group of performers, a theatrical troupe.

Term of the Moment: first cover, second cover

first cover--an actor paid to cover the star of a show, who may have no role of their own in the show. If so, they are a standby, meaning they are required to be available for every performance to cover the star, to be on standby. The standby is a principal contract and can only be on standby for principals in the show. (A standby may cover multiple principals. Sometimes by contract, the standby must be within a 15-minute walk of the theater while the performance is on.  A second cover is often an ensemble member who is rehearsed to cover the star role when the first cover is sick or on vacation.

Term of the Day: send 'em back to the hall

send 'em back to the hall--when you've ordered a stagehand from the replacement room (the hiring hall) and he or she fails to perform, you can say, "Send 'em back to the hall."