THE LOAD OUT / FIELD REFERENCE 01 / UPDATED NOVEMBER 11, 2026

Words that make the show work.

From the first date hold to the final settlement, live events have a language of their own. This is a practical dictionary of 330 terms used across touring, festivals, theatre, comedy, conferences, exhibitions and live production.

Use it to decode a deal, make sense of an advance or get a new crew member up to speed. Names and conventions change between markets and companies. Your contract, venue procedures and qualified local advice take priority. This is a working reference, not a claim that the industry has run out of words.

A

A1 / A2

Category: People & roles

Common North American event-crew labels. A1 often denotes the lead audio operator or engineer; A2 often supports microphones, stage patching, radio systems, or presenters. These are staffing conventions, not universal qualifications, and the division of work should be confirmed for each production.

Also called: Audio one; Audio two

References: asgllc.com

Access rider

Category: Safety & accessibility

A document communicating a performer's, speaker's, or worker's access requirements so the organizer can plan suitable arrangements. It may cover communication, scheduling, equipment, environment, or personal support. It focuses on what enables participation and does not need to be a detailed medical history.

References: Musicians’ Union

Accessible route

Category: Safety & accessibility

A continuous route that people with disabilities can use to reach and move between the relevant event areas and services. It involves more than a ramp at the entrance. Surface, slope, width, obstructions, signage, and connection to facilities all affect whether the route works.

References: ada.gov · adata.org

Accessible viewing area

Category: Safety & accessibility

An area arranged to give disabled audience members an appropriate view and access to the event. It may be raised, but accessibility is not defined by a platform alone. Routes, sightlines, companion arrangements, services, and emergency planning also matter.

Also called: Viewing platform

References: adata.org

Accreditation / credential

Category: Safety & accessibility

Accreditation is the process of approving someone's event role and access. A credential is the physical or digital evidence of that approval; a laminate is one common badge format. The credential's zones, dates, and conditions determine access, not merely possession of a lanyard.

Also called: Accreditation; Credential; Laminate; Event pass

References: glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Additional insured

Category: Commercial & insurance

A person or organization given defined insured status under another party’s policy, often through an endorsement. Coverage is limited by the policy and endorsement wording. Merely being a certificate holder or being named in an event contract does not, by itself, establish additional-insured coverage.

Also called: Additional-insured status

References: csusb.edu

Adjusted gross

Category: Money & settlement

A contract-specific revenue base produced by making named adjustments to an identified gross figure. It has no safe universal formula. List included revenue, exclusions and deductions in the deal and settlement so an adjusted-gross percentage cannot silently become a percentage of a different pool.

Also called: Adjusted gross receipts; AGR

References: tseentertainment.com

Advance

Category: Production & show control

The work of agreeing an event's practical details before arrival: contacts, timings, access, equipment, staffing, hospitality, and responsibilities. It is a process, not just a document. A completed advance records what the venue and visiting production have actually agreed, including substitutions and unresolved questions.

Also called: Advancing

References: toolkit.batterydance.org

Advance warehouse

Category: Event formats

A designated facility that receives exhibitors' freight before show-site move-in and arranges its transfer to the event. It is not simply any nearby storage unit. Receiving windows, accepted shipment types, labels, deadlines, and charges are specific to the show and logistics provider.

References: freeman.com

Adverse-weather cover

Category: Commercial & insurance

Insurance addressing specified weather-related risks to an event, subject to its trigger and exclusions. Cover for cancellation due to dangerous weather differs from a policy paying on a measured rainfall threshold. Ordinary bad weather, poor turnout or an outdoor venue may not automatically qualify.

Also called: Weather insurance; Weather cover

References: hiscox.co.uk · munichre.com

All-access pass

Category: Safety & accessibility

A credential granting broad access within an event's own rules. The label does not cancel safety restrictions, private dressing-room boundaries, stage permissions, or other controlled areas. Its real scope must be checked against the event's access policy rather than interpreted as permission to enter everywhere.

Also called: AAA pass; AAA

All-in pricing

Category: Ticketing & box office

Displaying a ticket price with mandatory charges included upfront. It does not always mean every possible tax, shipping charge or optional extra is included. In the United States, the FTC’s covered-ticket rule specifies permitted exclusions and requires the final payment total before payment is requested.

Also called: All-in price; Upfront total pricing

References: ftc.gov

Apron

Category: Stage & rigging

The part of a traditional stage that projects in front of the proscenium opening or main curtain line. It brings performers closer to the audience. A venue may use the word more loosely for a forward extension, so its actual dimensions belong on the plan.

References: Theatres Trust

Artist liaison

Category: People & roles

The contact helping performers or speakers navigate the event's practical arrangements, such as arrival, credentials, dressing rooms, hospitality, and stage calls. Liaison is different from artist management or booking authority. Its scope should make clear who can approve changes or commitments.

Also called: Talent liaison

Aspect ratio

Category: Lighting & video

The proportional relationship between an image's width and height, such as 16:9. Matching a file's resolution alone does not guarantee a correct fit on a differently shaped screen. Cropping, letterboxing, or specially designed content may be needed for unusual event displays.

References: extron.com

Assistive listening system

Category: Safety & accessibility

Technology that delivers event audio in a way that helps people who have difficulty hearing the room's sound. Systems may use hearing loops, radio, infrared, or other supported methods. Availability, compatibility, receivers, and instructions matter; a louder PA is not an equivalent service.

Also called: ALS; Hearing assistance system

References: ada.gov

ATA carnet

Category: Touring & hospitality

An international customs document used for qualifying temporary movements of goods, including some professional equipment and exhibition materials. It can simplify customs procedures in participating territories. It is not a visa, work permit, or universal exemption from border formalities; conditions and eligible goods still apply.

Also called: Carnet

References: trade.gov

Attrition

Category: Commercial & insurance

A shortfall against a contracted room, attendance or revenue commitment, and the contractual mechanism for dealing with that shortfall. Allowances and damages vary. Check whether room attrition is measured cumulatively or night by night, and what credits apply for rooms resold or booked outside the block.

Also called: Attrition clause; Attrition damages

References: mpi.org

Audio channel

Category: Audio

An individual signal path within an audio system, such as the path carrying one microphone through a mixer. Channel can also mean a wireless frequency assignment or a communication group. Naming the context prevents confusion between audio routing and radio coordination.

Also called: Input channel; Output channel

References: my.yamaha.com

Audio split

Category: Audio

A division of input signals so more than one system can use them, such as separate audience, monitor, and recording consoles. Splits may be analog or digital. The design determines matters such as isolation, gain ownership, and whether one operator's changes affect another.

Also called: Microphone split

References: Shure

Aux send

Category: Audio

A control or path that sends some of a channel's signal to an auxiliary mix, often for stage monitors or effects. The send may be taken before or after the channel fader. That choice determines whether moving the audience-mix fader also changes that contribution.

Also called: Auxiliary send

References: my.yamaha.com

Availability

Category: Booking & deals

Whether a performer, speaker, venue or supplier can take a proposed engagement on particular dates. An available date is only an opening for negotiation: travel, setup, competing offers and internal approvals may still prevent confirmation. Availability is not a booking.

Also called: Avails

References: systemonesoftware.com

B

Back of house

Category: Production & show control

The operational areas and functions supporting an event away from its public-facing spaces, such as production offices, storage, kitchens, and service routes. Backstage can be part of BOH, but the terms are not identical. Access is normally determined by role and operational need.

Also called: BOH

Backdrop

Category: Stage & rigging

A visual surface behind the performance area, such as painted scenery, printed fabric, drapery, or a screen. It supplies context or conceals what is behind it. A decorative backdrop is not automatically a structural wall, acoustic barrier, or weather-rated outdoor surface.

Backend

Category: Booking & deals

Additional compensation linked to an event’s results, commonly a share payable above a guarantee or after agreed costs. It is not a promise of extra earnings. Specify the percentage, calculation base, trigger and reporting rights rather than relying on the word alone.

Also called: Back end; Percentage participation

References: Musicians’ Union · WIPO

Backline

Category: Audio

The instruments and related performance equipment supplied for an act, commonly drum kits, amplifiers, keyboards, and stands. Exact inclusions vary, so backline supplied is not a complete specification. It usually excludes the main PA and may exclude personal items, specialist components, and consumables.

References: Musicians’ Union

Backline technician

Category: People & roles

A technician preparing and maintaining performers' instruments and related equipment, often managing setup, tuning, changes, and faults. A specialist may cover guitars, drums, keyboards, or another system. The role is different from mixing sound, even when both jobs involve the same instrument signal.

Also called: Backline tech; Instrument technician

References: berklee.edu

Balance due

Category: Booking & deals

The amount still payable after crediting deposits, other payments and agreed adjustments against the total obligation. If a $10,000 fee has a $4,000 deposit, the starting balance is $6,000. Settlement may change it; the balance is not the recipient’s profit.

Also called: Outstanding balance; Final balance

References: WIPO

Batten

Category: Stage & rigging

A horizontal pipe or structural member from which scenery, curtains, lighting, or other stage equipment is supported. In theatre it may be part of a lifting system. A batten's permitted load and movement depend on the system, rather than its appearance or length alone.

References: jrclancy.com

Blackout

Category: Stage & rigging

A cue or state in which the performance lighting goes dark. It does not mean disconnecting all electrical power or extinguishing required safety lighting. Video screens, work lights, and other luminous equipment may need separate instructions if the creative intention is a completely dark stage picture.

References: ETC

Blocking

Category: Stage & rigging

The planned positions and movements of performers during a scene or presentation. Stage management records blocking so it can be rehearsed and repeated. It is distinct from blocking an exit or route, which is a physical access and safety issue.

References: theatrecrafts.com

Booking agent

Category: Booking & deals

A representative who seeks and negotiates engagements for performers, speakers or other talent. The agent handles offers and relationships with buyers within an agreed representation scope. Commission, authority to accept offers and responsibility for collecting payments should be clear; an agent is not automatically the talent’s manager.

Also called: Talent agent; Agent

References: online.berklee.edu

Booking fee

Category: Ticketing & box office

A charge connected with arranging or processing a ticket purchase, assessed per ticket, per order or through another disclosed structure. It may be retained or shared under commercial agreements. Its label does not establish the recipient, and mandatory-fee display rules still apply.

Also called: Service fee; Convenience fee; Ticketing fee

References: axssupportuk.axs.com · ftc.gov

Box office

Category: Ticketing & box office

The function, team or physical sales point responsible for ticket sales and related customer service. The term can also mean ticket revenue, so distinguish the box-office operation from box-office receipts. Its work may include allocations, exchanges, access queries, reporting and admission support.

Also called: Ticket office

References: seatgeekstadium.com

Break-even point

Category: Money & settlement

The sales level at which the defined revenues cover the defined costs. In a simple model, $12,000 fixed costs divided by a $30 contribution per paid ticket requires 400 tickets. Include relevant taxes, variable costs and other income; accounting break-even may differ from a contractual split point.

Also called: Breakeven; BEP

References: legacy.sba.gov

Breakout session

Category: Event formats

A smaller session separated from the main gathering, often allowing participants to choose topics or work in groups. Several may run simultaneously, but concurrency is not essential to the meaning. A breakout describes the program structure, not a single mandatory presentation style.

Also called: Breakout

References: oxfordabstracts.com

Bridle

Category: Stage & rigging

A multi-leg rigging arrangement used to position or support a suspended load between or through several attachment locations. The geometry changes the forces in its components and supports. A bridle is therefore a designed arrangement, not simply an extra connection added for reassurance.

References: iatse25.com

Bus

Category: Audio

A shared signal path that combines or routes audio from selected channels to a destination. A mixer can have main, auxiliary, group, and other buses with different purposes. A bus is a routing concept, not necessarily a physical socket on the console.

Also called: Audio bus

References: hub.yamaha.com

Bus call

Category: Touring & hospitality

The specified time people must be at the tour bus, commonly ready for departure. A separate departure time or loading call may also be given. The instruction should identify the location and expectation, rather than rely on an assumption that bus call means wheels moving.

Buyout

Category: Booking & deals

A fixed payment replacing a specified obligation or entitlement, such as providing meals, hiring equipment or sharing a revenue stream. Always name what is being bought out and for whom. A meal buyout does not, by itself, buy recording, publicity or other rights.

Also called: Cash buyout; Meal buyout

References: Musicians’ Union

C

Cable ramp

Category: Safety & accessibility

A protective crossing used where cables pass through pedestrian or vehicle routes. Its suitability depends on the loads, cable arrangement, route, and user needs. A cable ramp does not automatically create an accessible crossing, particularly if its slope, edges, or surface impede mobility devices.

Also called: Cable protector

References: HSE · adata.org

Call time

Category: Production & show control

The time a person or team is required to report and be ready for the specified activity. A crew call, performer call, and soundcheck time may all differ. It does not necessarily mean the public doors or the performance start time.

Also called: Crew call

Cancellation clause

Category: Commercial & insurance

Contract terms setting out what happens if a party cancels, including notice, fees, deposits, refunds and any duty to reduce losses. Cancellation and postponement may have different consequences. Read it alongside force majeure and insurance rather than assuming any cancellation is automatically refundable or covered.

Also called: Cancellation terms; Cancellation provision

References: ism.org

Cash flow

Category: Money & settlement

The timing and amounts of money entering and leaving the event business. A projected profitable event can still run short of cash if supplier deposits are due before ticket payouts or sponsorship receipts. Plan payment dates separately from the profit-and-loss budget.

Also called: Cash-flow forecast

References: mpi.org

Central Withholding Agreement

Category: Money & settlement

A United States IRS arrangement for eligible nonresident artists or athletes that sets withholding for specified U.S. activities using an approved estimate of taxable income. It is not a blanket exemption from tax. Application requirements, timing and the designated withholding agent’s duties need specialist attention.

Also called: CWA

References: irs.gov

Certificate of insurance

Category: Commercial & insurance

A summary evidencing stated insurance policies, periods and limits. It is not the policy itself and generally does not create or expand coverage. Check the relevant policy wording and endorsements, especially when an event requires an additional insured or specified activities to be covered.

Also called: COI; Insurance certificate

References: csusb.edu

Chain hoist

Category: Stage & rigging

A lifting device that moves a load using a chain, commonly used to position trusses or other production equipment. Crews often call a powered unit a motor. Its capacity, control system, inspection status, and permitted operating conditions matter; the nickname does not identify those limits.

Also called: Chain motor; Motor

References: ia15.org

Challenge

Category: Booking & deals

A request by a prospective booker to secure a date already held by someone else. The venue or agent asks the earlier holder to confirm or release it within its stated process. Deadlines, deposits and required paperwork vary; there is no universal 24- or 48-hour rule.

Also called: Hold challenge

References: berklee.edu · riverfrontstages.com

Changeover

Category: Production & show control

The transition between acts, sessions, or event configurations, including moving equipment, updating connections, and checking readiness. A short festival changeover is not a full soundcheck. In a conference, the changeover might instead involve panel furniture, microphones, presentation files, and speaker access.

Also called: Turnover

Chargeback

Category: Ticketing & box office

A payment reversal initiated through a cardholder’s bank or card-network dispute process, rather than the organizer voluntarily refunding a purchase. Funds and fees may be withheld while evidence is reviewed. A chargeback can arrive after the event and affect previously reported ticket proceeds.

Also called: Card dispute; Payment dispute

References: support.stripe.com

Clipping

Category: Audio

Distortion caused when a signal exceeds what a device or digital representation can handle, cutting off parts of its waveform. It can happen at an input, processor, output, or amplifier. Turning down a later stage may make the distortion quieter without undoing it.

References: hub.yamaha.com

Co-promotion

Category: Booking & deals

An agreement in which two or more parties jointly present an event and share specified responsibilities, investment and financial results. Profit and loss shares need not be equal. Set out approved budgets, decision rights, revenue ownership, cost recovery and loss limits; shared branding alone does not establish these terms.

Also called: Co-promote; Co-pro; Joint promotion

References: ticketfairy.com

Commission

Category: Booking & deals

Compensation to an agent or intermediary, often calculated as a percentage of defined earnings. Agree the commission base and treatment of taxes, reimbursed expenses, cancellations and other fees. A quoted percentage is not meaningful until the income it applies to is specified.

Also called: Agency commission; Booking commission

References: equity.org.uk

Companion ticket

Category: Safety & accessibility

An admission arrangement for someone supporting a disabled attendee. Eligibility, cost, documentation, and where the companion can go depend on the event and applicable law. It is not necessarily the same as a general guest-list ticket or an extra accessible seat.

Also called: Personal assistant ticket; PA ticket; Carer ticket

References: attitudeiseverything.org.uk

Compere

Category: Event formats

The person hosting an event or comedy bill, introducing acts, linking sections, and helping manage the room's energy and timing. Compere is especially common in UK usage. A compere may perform material, but their job is broader than occupying one normal act slot.

Also called: Emcee; MC; Host

References: stand-upcomedy.com

Complimentary ticket

Category: Ticketing & box office

An admission issued without an admission charge, often for invited guests, press or contractual entitlements. Comps still consume capacity and should be recorded separately from paid sales. A reserved guest allocation becomes a comp only when it is issued on that basis.

Also called: Comp; Complimentary admission

References: Spektrix

Compressor

Category: Audio

An audio processor that reduces level changes according to settings such as threshold, ratio, attack, and release. It can control peaks or shape the feel of a signal. Compression changes dynamics; it does not by itself establish safe audience sound exposure.

References: hub.yamaha.com

Confidence monitor

Category: Lighting & video

A screen placed where a presenter or performer can see helpful information without turning toward the main audience screen. It may show slides, notes, a timer, or the program feed. The desired content must be specified; confidence monitor does not mean teleprompter by default.

Also called: Downstage monitor; DSM

References: lookbook.encoreglobal.com

Confirmation

Category: Booking & deals

The point or written notice at which the parties treat an engagement as agreed rather than provisional. Record exactly what was accepted and any remaining conditions. A booking may become binding through communications or conduct before a formal contract is signed, depending on local law.

Also called: Confirmed booking; Booking confirmation

References: equity.org.uk

Consignment

Category: Merchandise

An arrangement in which goods are placed with another party to sell while ownership generally remains with the supplier until sale. The agreement sets commission, remittance timing, returns and responsibility for loss. Delivery of consigned stock is not itself proof of a completed sale.

Also called: Sale on consignment

References: shopify.com

Contingency

Category: Money & settlement

A budget allowance for uncertain costs or identified risks, sized to the event rather than treated as a universal percentage. Define who can authorize its use and track actual spending against it. An unspent contingency is not the same as an insurance policy or guaranteed spare cash.

Also called: Budget contingency; Contingency allowance

References: pmi.org

Contribution margin

Category: Money & settlement

Revenue left after the variable costs associated with that revenue, available to cover fixed costs and then profit. A ticket producing $40 of retained revenue and $10 of variable cost contributes $30. Use consistent tax and fee assumptions rather than substituting the advertised ticket price.

Also called: Contribution per ticket; Unit contribution

References: legacy.sba.gov

Cost of goods sold

Category: Merchandise

The cost assigned to merchandise actually sold during the period, rather than the retail value of stock or all stock purchased. For example, 100 shirts sold with an $8 unit cost produce $800 of COGS. Venue commissions and selling costs may be tracked separately.

Also called: COGS; Cost of sales

References: Spektrix

Count-in

Category: Merchandise

The recorded quantity of merchandise handed into an event’s sales operation, broken down by item and variant. It establishes the opening stock for reconciliation, not the quantity sold. Include later additions, transfers and authorized adjustments so closing stock can be compared fairly.

Also called: Count in; Opening stock count

References: atvenu.zendesk.com

Count-out

Category: Merchandise

The closing physical merchandise count after sales, by item and variant. Reconcile opening stock and additions against sales, complimentary items, returns, transfers and losses. Missing stock is not automatically a sale, and point-of-sale totals should be checked against physical inventory and money collected.

Also called: Count out; Closing stock count

References: atvenu.zendesk.com

Crew chief

Category: People & roles

The person coordinating a particular crew or technical department, assigning work and communicating with production management and other teams. A show may have separate audio, lighting, video, and local-crew chiefs. The position's authority and reporting line should be clear rather than inferred from seniority.

Also called: Department head

Crowd barrier

Category: Safety & accessibility

A barrier system used to guide, separate, contain, or protect people in a defined event layout. Different types serve different purposes and have different capabilities. A queue barrier, perimeter fence, and front-of-stage barrier are not interchangeable simply because each creates a physical boundary.

Also called: Barrier line

References: HSE

Crowd density

Category: Safety & accessibility

The concentration of people within an area, commonly expressed as people per unit of space. It is one indicator of crowd conditions, not a complete safety verdict. Movement, pressure, behavior, layout, and the reliability of measurement also matter, especially when conditions change quickly.

References: HSE

Crowd management

Category: Safety & accessibility

Planning and operating an event so people's movement, distribution, and experience can be managed safely. It spans arrival, circulation, activity areas, and departure. It is broader than security enforcement or placing barriers, and it depends on observation and coordination throughout the event.

References: HSE

Crowd work

Category: Event formats

Comedy built through interaction with audience members, often using their responses as material. It can be improvised while still drawing on practiced techniques. Crowd work is not the same as a heckler interruption, and its presence does not mean audience members consent to every kind of interaction.

References: stand-upcomedy.com

Cue sheet

Category: Production & show control

A list of specific production actions and the moments that trigger them, such as starting a video, changing lights, or opening a microphone. It is more operational than an audience program and should identify the relevant cue numbers, operators, and timing references.

Cue-to-cue

Category: Production & show control

A technical rehearsal that moves between cue points and skips material that does not affect the technical sequence. It helps the team practice transitions efficiently. It is not a complete run-through and should not be mistaken for proof that the entire event fits its advertised duration.

Also called: Q-to-Q; Q2Q

References: inthecompanyofactors.com.au

Curfew

Category: Production & show control

A required cutoff affecting an event, often the end of amplified sound, public activity, or venue occupancy. Its basis may be a licence, permit, contract, or venue policy. State which activity must stop and when; curfew does not universally mean everyone must leave simultaneously.

D

Dante

Category: Audio

Audinate's networked audio and video technology for routing compatible devices over IP networks. In event audio, it commonly carries multiple channels between consoles, stage boxes, and recording systems. Dante is a specific technology, not a generic name for every audio network or Ethernet connection.

References: dev.audinate.com

Dark day

Category: Touring & hospitality

A day when the production does not present a public performance. It may still contain travel, rehearsal, maintenance, or setup work. The exact meaning varies by venue and tour, so a dark day should not be assumed to be time off for every department.

Also called: Non-performance day

Date hold

Category: Booking & deals

A provisional reservation on a venue, talent or supplier calendar while an engagement is negotiated. A hold usually has a priority, deadline or challenge procedure. It does not necessarily create a confirmed booking, and it is different from holding ticket inventory.

Also called: Pencil; Provisional booking; Soft hold

References: berklee.edu

Day sheet

Category: Touring & hospitality

A practical summary of one touring or event day, usually listing contacts, addresses, timings, transport, meals, and important notes. It should make the immediate plan easy to follow. A day sheet is different from the detailed technical run of show or a multi-date itinerary.

Deal memo

Category: Booking & deals

A short record of the main agreed or proposed commercial terms before a longer contract is issued. It should capture fees, deductions, expenses, dates and responsibilities. State explicitly whether it is binding or subject to contract; its short format alone does not decide that.

Also called: Deal memorandum; Heads of terms

References: uktheatre.org

Deductible

Category: Commercial & insurance

The part of a covered insurance loss borne by the insured under the policy’s terms. It may be a fixed sum or percentage and may apply per claim, occurrence or coverage section. A deductible is different from the premium paid to purchase the insurance.

Also called: Excess

References: content.naic.org

Delay speaker

Category: Audio

A loudspeaker positioned farther into an audience area to supplement the main system, with signal timing adjusted for the intended listening relationship. Its purpose is coverage and clarity, not simply extra loudness. A delay tower is a structure carrying such speakers, not the processing itself.

Also called: Delay fill; Delay tower

References: usa.yamaha.com

Deposit

Category: Booking & deals

An advance payment credited against an agreed fee, rental or service charge. Refundability, due dates and cancellation treatment depend on the contract. A deposit improves timing of cash receipts but is not extra payment on top of the fee or evidence of profit.

Also called: Booking deposit; Advance payment

References: WIPO

DI box

Category: Audio

A device that adapts an instrument or other source for connection to a microphone input, commonly converting an unbalanced, high-impedance signal to a balanced, lower-impedance one. DI types differ in power, isolation, and level handling. It is not simply a connector adapter.

Also called: Direct box; Direct injection box

References: usa.yamaha.com

Diffusion

Category: Lighting & video

Material or an optical treatment that spreads light to soften or modify its beam. Different diffusion types affect beam shape and output differently. It is distinct from haze, which places particles in the air, and from simply defocusing a spotlight.

References: us.rosco.com

DMX address

Category: Lighting & video

The first control slot a DMX device reads within its assigned universe. A multi-parameter fixture occupies a range beginning there. The address is not necessarily the fixture's user-facing number on the console, and overlapping ranges may be deliberate or a configuration error.

Also called: Start address

References: ETC

DMX512

Category: Lighting & video

A digital control standard widely used to send lighting levels and other parameter values to compatible equipment. One universe carries up to 512 control slots. A fixture may use many slots, so 512 does not mean 512 complete moving lights.

Also called: DMX

References: ETC

Door split

Category: Booking & deals

An agreement dividing admission takings between parties, such as a performer and promoter. The split may start from the first sale or only after specified deductions. An 80/20 split is incomplete without identifying who receives 80%, the revenue base and every allowable expense.

Also called: Box-office split; Percentage split

References: equity.org.uk

Doors

Category: Production & show control

The scheduled or actual point when the audience is admitted to the event or auditorium. Doors can differ from site opening, registration opening, and show start. The term should be tied to a specific entrance or space when an event has several admission stages.

Also called: Doors open

Drayage

Category: Event formats

In exhibitions, the handling of freight within the show logistics system, commonly from receiving point to booth and back, with associated unloading and empty-container services. It is distinct from transporting freight between cities. Included services and charges are set by the event's contractor terms.

Also called: Material handling

References: freeman.com

Dress rehearsal

Category: Production & show control

A rehearsal using the performance's costumes and technical elements in conditions close to the real show. The name comes from theatre but is also used for major ceremonies and presentations. It can reveal timing and transition issues that isolated technical checks do not.

References: getintotheatre.org

Dressing room

Category: Touring & hospitality

A private or shared space where performers prepare, change, and keep performance-related belongings. It may also support rest or makeup, depending on the venue. A room assignment should identify practical requirements and access arrangements rather than assume all dressing rooms offer the same facilities.

Dynamic pricing

Category: Ticketing & box office

Changing ticket prices in response to demand, sales patterns or other stated factors. Changes may be manual or automated; the term does not prove an algorithm is involved. Distinguish it from a pre-announced price schedule, resale markup or a premium package with additional benefits.

Also called: Demand-based pricing

References: spektrix.com

E

Early-bird ticket

Category: Ticketing & box office

A ticket offered on stated introductory terms, commonly at a lower price before a deadline or until an allocation sells out. Publish the actual trigger and availability. Early bird describes the sales offer, not necessarily a special access level or a presale restricted to selected buyers.

Also called: Early bird; Advance discount

References: eventbrite.com

Egress

Category: Safety & accessibility

The routes and process by which people leave a space or site. It covers ordinary departure as well as arrangements relevant to emergencies. Egress is not a synonym for evacuation: people can leave routinely, while evacuation responds to a particular threat or instruction.

Also called: Exit flow

References: HSE

Emergency action plan

Category: Safety & accessibility

The agreed arrangements for responding to emergencies, including responsibilities, communications, protective actions, and coordination with emergency services. It should cover the event's actual hazards and access needs. It is more specific than a general production schedule or a list of emergency telephone numbers.

Also called: EAP; Emergency plan

References: HSE

Equalization

Category: Audio

Changing the level of selected frequency ranges in an audio signal. EQ can shape tone, improve intelligibility, or address system response. It is not a universal fix for poor microphone placement, excessive sound levels, room acoustics, or a feedback path.

Also called: EQ; Equalizer

References: usa.yamaha.com

Equivalent continuous sound level

Category: Audio

A measure that expresses varying sound over a stated period as the level of a steady sound with equivalent sound energy. LAeq uses A-weighting. It is different from a peak level, and the averaging period must be stated for the figure to be meaningful.

Also called: Leq; LAeq

References: iris.who.int

Evacuation

Category: Safety & accessibility

Moving people away from a threatened or unsafe area to an identified safer location under the relevant emergency arrangements. It may affect part or all of an event. Evacuation is different from stopping a performance, routine audience departure, or instructing people to shelter in place.

References: HSE · HSE

Event cancellation insurance

Category: Commercial & insurance

Cover for specified financial losses caused by an insured event’s cancellation or disruption under the policy. Postponement, abandonment, curtailment or relocation may require express coverage. Poor sales, known circumstances and particular hazards may be excluded; insured expenses and insured profit are not interchangeable.

Also called: Cancellation cover; Contingency insurance

References: hiscox.co.uk · americanbar.org

Event control

Category: Safety & accessibility

The designated coordination function or location for event operations, information, and incident response. It brings together relevant decision-makers and communications, with responsibilities defined in the event plan. Event control is not automatically the production desk, security office, or emergency services' incident command.

Also called: Control room; Event control center

References: HSE

Event equipment insurance

Category: Commercial & insurance

Cover for specified loss of or damage to event equipment, which may include owned or hired items if declared. Confirm transit, unattended storage, theft, weather and replacement-value conditions. Liability insurance for damage to others does not automatically insure the event’s own equipment.

Also called: Hired-in equipment cover; Equipment cover

References: hiscox.co.uk

Event management plan

Category: Safety & accessibility

The coordinated plan describing how an event will be organized and operated, including responsibilities, schedules, site arrangements, and supporting procedures. Its contents depend on the event and local requirements. It is a working framework, not evidence by itself that arrangements have been implemented effectively.

Also called: EMP

References: HSE

Exclusion

Category: Commercial & insurance

Policy wording removing specified causes, activities, property or losses from insurance coverage. A broad event-policy label does not override its exclusions. Review the schedule and endorsements as well as the main wording, especially for weather, communicable disease, terrorism, alcohol, activities and known circumstances.

Also called: Policy exclusion; Excluded risk

References: content.naic.org

Exhibition booth

Category: Event formats

The allocated space and display used by an exhibitor at a trade show or exhibition. Booth is common in North America and stand in many other markets. The booking does not necessarily include walls, furniture, power, internet, or installation; those depend on the package.

Also called: Exhibition stand; Trade-show booth

References: freeman.com

Exhibition-space fee

Category: Commercial & insurance

The charge for a defined booth, stand or floor-space allocation at an exhibition or event. It may exclude power, furniture, rigging, labour, connectivity and material handling. The exhibitor agreement should identify the included package, cancellation terms and any separately compulsory charges.

Also called: Booth fee; Stand fee; Space rental

References: s3.goeshow.com

Expense cap

Category: Money & settlement

A contractual maximum for a particular deductible expense or group of expenses. For example, 10% rent capped at $2,000 limits the settlement deduction to $2,000 even if the percentage produces more. The cap does not necessarily limit the supplier’s actual invoice.

Also called: Cost cap; Deduction cap

References: bauerentertainmentmarketing.com

F

Face value

Category: Ticketing & box office

The base admission price assigned to a ticket, commonly distinguished from additional fees and taxes. It is not necessarily the buyer’s final total or a resale price. Different ticketing and legal contexts may treat included charges differently, so state the price basis when reporting.

Also called: Face price; Base ticket price

References: support.axs.com

Facility fee

Category: Ticketing & box office

A ticket-related charge associated with the venue, sometimes described as a restoration or building fee. Whether it is included in face value, collected separately, shared or deducted for settlement depends on the agreements. It is not automatically available to the promoter or performer.

Also called: Facility charge; Restoration levy; Building levy

References: help.ticketmaster.com

Feedback

Category: Audio

The ringing or howl that can occur when sound from a loudspeaker returns to a microphone, is amplified again, and sustains a loop. It is an interaction within the system and room, not a property of one microphone alone. Distortion and electrical interference are different problems.

Also called: Acoustic feedback

References: service.shure.com

Festival

Category: Event formats

An organized program of related performances, activities, or celebrations, often involving multiple artists, sessions, or spaces. Festivals can center on music, comedy, film, food, culture, sport, or other themes. The word does not require an outdoor site, camping, or more than one day.

Fireside chat

Category: Event formats

An informal-style, moderated conversation, often with one main guest, presented to an audience. The name describes the tone and format; a fireplace is not required. It differs from an open Q&A because the conversation usually has a planned host, themes, and structure.

First hold

Category: Booking & deals

The highest-priority provisional claim on a date under a particular booking policy. A second or third hold normally sits behind it. First hold may offer an opportunity to confirm when challenged, but does not automatically mean a signed contract or paid booking.

Also called: First pencil; First option

References: riverfrontstages.com

Fixed cost

Category: Money & settlement

A cost that does not change with attendance or sales over the relevant planning range, such as a contracted room rental. Fixed does not mean unavoidable or unchanged at every scale: adding a second hall or performance can create a new step in cost.

Also called: Fixed expense

References: legacy.sba.gov

Fixture

Category: Lighting & video

An individual lighting unit, including its light source, optics, housing, and relevant control features. Fixture may mean a simple fixed light or a complex automated unit. Its operating mode, accessories, and configuration affect what it does and how it appears in the control system.

Also called: Luminaire; Lighting instrument

References: ETC

Flat fee

Category: Booking & deals

A fixed payment for the agreed performance or service, rather than a payment calculated from ticket sales. Specify whether travel, accommodation, production, taxes and agency charges are included or additional. A flat fee can still be affected by contractual cancellation or non-performance provisions.

Also called: Fixed fee; Straight fee

References: Musicians’ Union

Floor manager

Category: People & roles

In studio, broadcast, or presentation production, the person coordinating people and activity on the floor and relaying instructions between the control team and presenters or participants. They may cue speakers and manage timing. The role is not automatically identical to a theatrical stage manager.

Also called: FM

References: screenskills.com

Fly date

Category: Touring & hospitality

A show for which the touring party flies in, often using locally supplied equipment rather than transporting the full road production. The phrase does not define exactly what travels. Instruments, playback, costumes, or specialist components may still need carriage, customs planning, and an agreed local specification.

Also called: Fly-in show

Fly system

Category: Stage & rigging

A theatrical rigging system that raises, lowers, or stores scenery, curtains, lighting, or other loads above the stage. It may use counterweights, powered hoists, or other mechanisms. A system for flying scenery is not automatically suitable for suspending or moving people.

Also called: Flying system; Stage flying system

References: jrclancy.com

Fog

Category: Lighting & video

An atmospheric effect producing visible clouds or mist for a scene or event. Different systems and fluids behave differently; low-lying fog is a specific effect rather than a promise about all fog. Fog and haze require suitable equipment, venue agreement, and appropriate assessment.

Also called: Stage fog

References: emea.live.rosco.com

Followspot

Category: Lighting & video

A spotlight used to track a performer or subject as they move. An operator may control it at the fixture or remotely, depending on the system. The role combines following movement with the agreed timing, size, color, and intensity of the light.

Also called: Follow spot

References: blog.etcconnect.com

Food-and-beverage minimum

Category: Commercial & insurance

A contractual commitment to a stated amount of eligible food-and-beverage spend. Falling short may trigger an agreed charge even if the event still runs. Specify whether service charges, taxes and related items count toward the minimum and how any shortfall is calculated.

Also called: F&B minimum; Catering minimum; Minimum spend

References: blink.ucsd.edu

Force majeure

Category: Commercial & insurance

A contractual provision addressing specified events beyond a party’s control that affect performance. It may excuse, suspend or otherwise change obligations if its conditions are met. It does not automatically mean no one pays, a full refund is due or insurance responds; wording and governing law matter.

Also called: Force-majeure clause

References: law.cornell.edu

Four-wall deal

Category: Booking & deals

An arrangement in which an organizer, producer or artist rents a venue and takes the principal ticket-sales risk, retaining the agreed ticket proceeds after rental and other charges. Four-wall does not mean every service is included: staffing, equipment, ticketing, concessions and mandatory extras need separate definition.

Also called: Four-walling; Four wall; Straight rental

References: ticketfairy.com

Fresnel

Category: Lighting & video

A spotlight using a stepped Fresnel lens to produce a soft-edged beam, commonly with adjustable spread. It is often used for blended washes. It differs from a profile spotlight, which is generally better suited to sharply focused edges and projected patterns.

References: ETC

Front of house

Category: Audio

In venue operations, the audience-facing spaces and services, including admission, foyers, and auditorium staff. In live sound, FOH means the audience mix, its engineer, or the control position out in the room. The department and context matter: a FOH manager is not necessarily the sound engineer.

Also called: FOH

References: Theatres Trust

Front-of-house engineer

Category: People & roles

The audio engineer shaping the mix heard by the audience through the main sound system. The job may include system responsibilities on smaller shows, but larger productions often separate mixing from system engineering. It is distinct from the venue's front-of-house customer-service manager.

Also called: FOH engineer

References: NAMM

G

Gain staging

Category: Audio

Managing signal levels through the successive parts of an audio system so usable sound stays above unwanted noise and below overload. It concerns the whole path, not just one gain knob. Raising a fader cannot repair distortion that has already occurred earlier in that path.

Also called: Gain structure

References: hub.yamaha.com

Gel

Category: Lighting & video

A filter placed in a suitable light's beam to alter color or other optical qualities. The name persists even though modern filters are not generally made from gelatin. Compatibility and heat resistance depend on the product and fixture; colored plastic is not automatically a lighting gel.

Also called: Color filter; Colour filter

References: spectrum.rosco.com

General admission

Category: Ticketing & box office

Admission without an individually assigned seat within the specified area. General admission can mean standing or unreserved seating; it is not automatically standing-room-only. Read area restrictions and entry conditions, and do not interpret inventory row or seat numbers as a reserved physical position.

Also called: GA; Unreserved admission

References: help.ticketmaster.com

Genlock

Category: Lighting & video

Synchronizing compatible video equipment to a common timing reference so frames or fields align. It supports coordinated production workflows but is not the same as timecode, which identifies positions in time. A genlocked system can still have processing delay in its signal paths.

References: extron.com

Gobo

Category: Lighting & video

A patterned metal, glass, or other suitable insert used in compatible lighting optics to project an image or texture. Gobos can create foliage, windows, logos, or abstract effects. They are different from video content, and a fixture must support the correct size and type.

References: us.rosco.com

Green room

Category: Touring & hospitality

A waiting or hospitality space for performers, speakers, or guests when they are not onstage. It is not necessarily green and may be shared. A green room can be separate from dressing rooms, quiet spaces, and the production office, each of which serves a different purpose.

Gross box office

Category: Money & settlement

Ticket-sales revenue before the deductions specified for the report or deal. Gross is not standardized: a dashboard may include buyer fees or tax that a promoter’s gross excludes. State the exact components, period and treatment of refunds before comparing figures or calculating participation.

Also called: GBOR; Gross box-office receipts; Gross ticket revenue

References: learn.trybooking.com · support.eventbrite.com

Gross potential

Category: Ticketing & box office

The ticket revenue possible at a stated inventory and price scale, before specified deductions. Calculate each price level separately: 300 tickets at $40 plus 200 at $60 gives $24,000. It is a scenario, not a sales forecast, and changes with pricing, inventory and assumptions.

Also called: GP; Gross box-office potential

References: cadoganhall.com

Guarantee

Category: Booking & deals

A contractual minimum payment, often to a performer or producer, subject to the agreement being fulfilled. Poor ticket sales alone do not reduce an otherwise payable guarantee. It may stand alone or sit within a percentage deal, and is revenue to the recipient, not necessarily profit.

Also called: Guaranteed fee; Minimum guarantee; MG

References: Ontario Presents

Guest list

Category: Ticketing & box office

A list of people authorized for specified admission or hospitality, often administered at the box office or entrance. Names alone do not define access: record ticket quantities, areas, collection rules and whether admission is complimentary, paid or subject to approval.

Also called: Guestlist

References: eventbrite.co.uk

H

Hard out

Category: Production & show control

A latest finish time that cannot be treated as flexible, often because of a broadcast window, venue agreement, transport requirement, or another scheduled activity. Its exact basis should be stated. It is not always the same as a legal curfew or the end of paid crew time.

Also called: Hard stop

Hard-ticket event

Category: Booking & deals

Booking shorthand for an event whose admission sales are principally driven by the advertised performance and underpin its commercial deal. It commonly contrasts with a wider festival or private engagement. It does not mean a paper ticket, and it does not by itself specify guarantee or percentage terms.

Also called: Hard ticket; Hard-ticket show

References: degy.com

Haze

Category: Lighting & video

A fine atmospheric effect used to make light beams visible while maintaining a relatively even appearance in the air. It differs from the denser visible clouds usually associated with fog. Its use still needs agreement with the venue and assessment of ventilation, detection systems, and exposure.

References: emea.live.rosco.com

Headliner

Category: Production & show control

An act or attraction given the highest billing for an event, stage, or day. A festival can have several headliners across its program. The headliner often performs late, but billing status does not guarantee the final slot, longest set, or a particular contractual arrangement.

Also called: Headline act

Headroom

Category: Audio

The level margin between a signal's normal operating level and the point where the relevant equipment or format overloads. It allows room for peaks. Headroom is not spare amplifier volume alone, and a system can have different margins at different points in its signal path.

References: hub.yamaha.com

Hospitality rider

Category: Touring & hospitality

The document setting out agreed non-technical arrangements for a visiting act or speaker, commonly food, drinks, dressing rooms, and related hospitality. It is separate from the technical rider, although they may be packaged together. Requirements and substitutions should be resolved during the advance.

References: Musicians’ Union

House manager

Category: People & roles

The person overseeing the audience-facing operation of a venue or performance, often including ushers, auditorium readiness, admissions coordination, and audience issues. They work with stage management and other departments. This is separate from the FOH audio engineer despite the shared abbreviation.

Also called: Front-of-house manager; FOH manager

Hybrid event

Category: Event formats

An event designed to include both in-person and remote participants. The two audiences may share some sessions while having different interaction paths. Streaming a camera feed is one component, but meaningful hybrid delivery also considers access, timing, moderation, questions, and the remote experience.

References: hiltoneventreadyplaybook.com

I

Image magnification

Category: Lighting & video

Live camera images shown on in-room screens so an audience can see speakers, performers, or details more clearly. IMAG is for people already at the event, unlike a stream primarily serving remote viewers. The same cameras may serve both, but framing and delay requirements can differ.

Also called: IMAG

References: lookbook.encoreglobal.com

In-ear monitor

Category: Audio

A monitoring system that sends a performer's mix to earphones, through a wired or wireless receiver. It can reduce dependence on stage loudspeakers. In-ear monitoring does not automatically protect hearing; fit, sound level, exposure, and system management still matter.

Also called: IEM; Personal monitor system

References: Shure

In-kind sponsorship

Category: Commercial & insurance

Support supplied as goods or services instead of cash, such as transport, equipment, accommodation or catering. Record the agreed deliverables and realistic value separately from cash income. In-kind support can reduce a cost but cannot pay an unrelated invoice or automatically cover a cash shortfall.

Also called: In-kind support; Barter sponsorship

References: hbavolunteer.knowledgeowl.com

In-the-round

Category: Stage & rigging

A staging arrangement with the audience surrounding the performance area. It is used for theatre, concerts, sports, and presentations. Because there is no single audience-facing front, layouts must account for views and access from multiple directions rather than rely on conventional end-on assumptions.

Also called: Theatre-in-the-round; Arena staging

References: Theatres Trust

Indemnity

Category: Commercial & insurance

A contractual obligation to compensate another party for defined losses or claims. Its scope may include third-party claims, defence costs or particular conduct. Check triggers, exclusions, control of claims and limits; an indemnity can create an obligation wider than the indemnifying party’s insurance cover.

Also called: Indemnification; Indemnify

References: law.cornell.edu

Ingress

Category: Safety & accessibility

The process of people arriving and entering a venue or site. It includes the effect of transport arrivals, queues, screening, ticket checks, and entrance layout. Ingress planning considers the journey into the event, not just the speed of the final ticket scan.

Also called: Entry flow

References: HSE

Input list

Category: Production & show control

A numbered list of audio sources and their connections to the sound system, often including microphone or DI choices, stand types, and power needs. It lets touring and house crews agree which signal lands on which channel, rather than relying on a stage drawing alone.

Also called: Channel list; Channel listing

References: Musicians’ Union

K

Keynote

Category: Event formats

A featured presentation that establishes or explores a central theme of a conference or event. It is commonly delivered to the full audience, but program usage varies. Keynote describes the presentation's role, while plenary describes a session intended for the whole gathering.

Also called: Keynote address

References: oxfordabstracts.com

Kill fee

Category: Commercial & insurance

A payment agreed for cancelling commissioned or booked work, often linked to notice or work already performed. The amount and enforceability depend on the contract and local law. It is unrelated to a production kill, which removes a place from ticket inventory.

Also called: Cancellation fee

References: ism.org · equity.org.uk

L

Latency

Category: Audio

The delay between a signal entering a system and the corresponding result reaching its destination. Digital processing, networks, wireless links, and video conversion can all contribute. A delay acceptable for a remote stream may be distracting in a performer's monitor or an in-room video image.

References: support.getdante.com

LED wall

Category: Lighting & video

A large display assembled from LED panels or modules that emit light directly. In events, the phrase usually means a direct-view LED display rather than an LCD screen with LED backlighting. Its suitability depends on resolution, viewing distance, brightness, environment, and the supporting system.

Also called: LED screen; Video wall

References: barco.com

Liability cap

Category: Commercial & insurance

A contractual ceiling on a party’s responsibility for defined losses, sometimes tied to the contract fee or an insured amount. Exceptions may leave particular claims uncapped. A contract cap and an insurance policy limit are separate, and neither automatically binds people outside the agreement.

Also called: Limitation of liability; Liability limit

References: law.cornell.edu

Liability waiver

Category: Commercial & insurance

A document or provision seeking a participant’s agreement to release or limit specified claims, often used for participatory events. It does not make an activity safe or remove every legal duty. Clarity, scope, consent and local law determine what effect it can have.

Also called: Release; Release of liability; Participant waiver

References: law.cornell.edu

Lighting designer

Category: People & roles

The creative specialist who develops how lighting supports the event's look, storytelling, and visibility. A lighting designer may also program or operate the show, but those functions can be separate. The title alone does not assign responsibility for electrical installation or rigging engineering.

Also called: LD

References: NAMM

Lighting plot

Category: Lighting & video

A drawing showing the intended positions and identities of lighting equipment and related information. It communicates the design and helps plan installation and focus. A plot is not the same as the console patch, cue list, or engineering approval for the structures carrying the lights.

Also called: Lighting plan

References: support.etcconnect.com

Lighting programmer

Category: People & roles

The person translating a lighting design into console data, including fixture setup, palettes, cues, effects, and playback arrangements. The programmer may work alongside a designer and operator or combine those roles. Programming a cue does not necessarily mean being the person who triggers it live.

References: ETC

Limiter

Category: Audio

A dynamics processor configured to strongly restrict signals above a set level. Limiters can serve creative, broadcast, or equipment-protection purposes. Their effectiveness depends on configuration and placement, so the presence of a limiter does not automatically prove compliance with a venue's sound limits.

References: hub.yamaha.com

Line array

Category: Audio

An arrangement of loudspeaker elements designed to work together along a line, often in a vertical or curved configuration, to provide controlled audience coverage. Its performance depends on design and deployment. A stack of arbitrary speakers is not automatically a functioning line-array system.

Also called: Loudspeaker line array

References: dbaudio.com

Line check

Category: Production & show control

A check that each audio source reaches the expected input and output paths and is functioning. It can be done without a full performance. A soundcheck goes further by assessing the sound with performers, material, and listening conditions closer to the show.

References: au.yamaha.com

Liquidated damages

Category: Commercial & insurance

An amount or formula agreed in advance for specified contractual breaches. It aims to address loss without calculating every actual damage afterward, but enforceability varies and punitive provisions may fail. Event cancellation or attrition clauses may use liquidated damages, though the label alone is not decisive.

Also called: Agreed damages

References: law.cornell.edu

Liquor liability

Category: Commercial & insurance

Liability connected with supplying or serving alcohol, addressed through suitable insurance where covered. Host-liquor cover and cover for businesses selling alcohol are not interchangeable. Event operations, licensing, jurisdiction and policy exclusions determine what protection is needed and whether an existing policy responds.

Also called: Alcohol liability

References: thehartford.com

Live captioning

Category: Safety & accessibility

Text provided during an event to communicate spoken content and relevant audio information. CART names a professional real-time transcription service, not every automatic caption system. Captioning, sign-language interpretation, and subtitles serve related but different needs and should not be treated as universal substitutes.

Also called: Real-time captioning; CART

References: ada.gov

Live-performance royalty

Category: Commercial & insurance

A payment to rights holders arising from the licensed public performance of their works, distinct from a performer’s appearance fee. Collecting societies may use setlists and event reports to distribute money. The person performing a song is not necessarily the person entitled to its songwriting royalty.

Also called: Performance royalty

References: apraamcos.com.au

Load-in

Category: Production & show control

The arrival and unloading phase for an event's equipment, scenery, and supplies, sometimes used to include setup. Common variants include get-in in UK theatre, bump-in in Australia, pack-in in New Zealand, and move-in in exhibitions. These are usage patterns, not exclusive regional rules.

Also called: Get-in; Bump-in; Pack-in; Move-in

References: artscentremelbourne.com.au · training.gov.au · theatrecrafts.com

Load-out

Category: Production & show control

Moving a production's equipment and supplies out of the venue and into transport or storage. Common variants include get-out in UK theatre, bump-out in Australia, pack-out in New Zealand, and move-out in exhibitions. Strike is the dismantling work that usually precedes or overlaps it.

Also called: Get-out; Bump-out; Pack-out; Move-out

References: artscentremelbourne.com.au · training.gov.au · theatrecrafts.com

Local crew

Category: People & roles

Crew engaged for work at a particular venue or destination, rather than traveling with the production. They provide local knowledge and assigned technical or operational support. Local crew can be highly specialized, and the word local does not by itself indicate union status or employment terms.

Also called: Local hands

References: iatse.net

Lower third

Category: Lighting & video

An on-screen graphic typically positioned in the lower part of the picture, often identifying a speaker, role, or topic. It need not occupy exactly one third of the screen. Its placement should allow for captions, faces, and the various outputs receiving the video.

References: blackmagicdesign.com

M

Marshaling yard

Category: Event formats

A designated holding and check-in area where event freight vehicles wait to be called to available loading docks. It helps manage congestion and the unloading sequence. Checking in there is not the same as arriving at the booth or being authorized to unload immediately.

Also called: Marshalling yard

References: ordering.ges.com

Matrix mix

Category: Audio

A mixer output stage that combines other buses and, on some consoles, individual inputs into additional feeds. It can supply lobby speakers, recording, or different audience zones. Matrix routing is console-dependent and should not be confused with a video matrix switcher.

Also called: Matrix

References: hub.yamaha.com

Merchandise

Category: Merchandise

Goods sold in connection with an event, performer, team or brand, such as apparel, programmes, books or recordings. Merchandise income is usually tracked separately from admissions. Selling rights, ownership, tax responsibility, stock risk and settlement terms should be established before trading begins.

Also called: Merch

References: Spektrix

Merchandise commission

Category: Merchandise

The agreed share of merchandise sales payable to a venue, concessionaire or other party. The base may exclude specified taxes or vary by product category. Record selling labour and card charges separately so a headline percentage does not conceal additional deductions.

Also called: Merch cut; Venue cut; Hall fee

References: atvenu.zendesk.com

Merchandising royalty

Category: Merchandise

A payment for permission to use protected names, artwork, marks or other licensed property on merchandise. It may be a percentage of defined sales or profits, with guarantees or advances. It is distinct from a venue’s selling commission and from music-performance royalties.

Also called: Merch royalty; Licensing royalty

References: Musicians’ Union

Method statement

Category: Safety & accessibility

A description of how a particular task will be carried out and how its identified risks will be controlled. It supports, rather than replaces, risk assessment. Terminology and legal requirements vary; in some jurisdictions, a safe work method statement has a specific regulated meaning.

Also called: Safe work method statement; SWMS

References: healthyworkinglives.scot

Mixing console

Category: Audio

The central device or software for combining audio sources and controlling their levels, processing, and destinations. A console may produce different mixes for the audience, performers, recordings, and remote participants. Its number of physical faders does not necessarily equal its number of available channels.

Also called: Mixer; Sound desk; Audio desk

References: my.yamaha.com

Moderator

Category: Event formats

The person guiding a discussion, introducing its purpose, directing questions, balancing contributions, and keeping the session useful and on time. A moderator is not necessarily the main expert or keynote speaker. Their role differs from an emcee who hosts the wider event.

Also called: Panel moderator

References: toastmasters.org

Monitor engineer

Category: People & roles

The engineer creating and managing the mixes heard by performers, usually through wedges, sidefills, or in-ear systems. Different performers may receive different balances. On smaller events one engineer may handle both audience and monitor mixes, but the listening goals remain different.

References: NAMM

Monitor mix

Category: Audio

An audio balance made for a performer or speaker rather than for the audience. Different people may need different mixes, delivered through wedges, sidefills, or earphones. It can emphasize timing, pitch, cues, or speech that would be inappropriate in the main audience mix.

References: Shure

Moving light

Category: Lighting & video

A fixture whose controllable features may include direction, color, beam size, patterns, and intensity. Some use a moving mirror rather than a moving head. Moving light names a family of equipment; the exact features and control-channel requirements depend on the model and mode.

Also called: Moving head; Automated light

References: ETC

Multiview

Category: Lighting & video

A display layout showing several video sources and system views on one screen, commonly including cameras, program, preview, and audio meters. It helps operators monitor the production. It is not usually the audience-facing image, even when it shares the same physical display technology.

Also called: Multiviewer

References: blackmagicdesign.com

N

Net box office

Category: Money & settlement

The ticket-revenue amount remaining after the deductions expressly defined in the agreement or report. These can include taxes and agreed fees, but may differ between deals. Net box office is not automatically profit after all event costs, nor the money ultimately paid to an artist.

Also called: NBOR; Net box-office receipts; NBO

References: bpb-us-e2.wpmucdn.com

Noise gate

Category: Audio

A processor that reduces a signal when its level falls below a chosen threshold, commonly to reduce spill or background noise between useful sounds. It is not the same as removing noise from an active voice or instrument. Poor settings can cut off intended material.

Also called: Gate

References: usa.yamaha.com

Non-appearance insurance

Category: Commercial & insurance

Cover for specified financial loss when an essential named performer, speaker or other key person cannot attend for an insured reason. It is not a blanket guarantee against any absence. Covered causes, named individuals, medical information requirements and exclusions must be checked before relying on it.

Also called: Nonappearance cover

References: events-insurance.co.uk

Nut

Category: Money & settlement

Informal live-entertainment shorthand for the costs or threshold a show must cover before a further split or profit is calculated. It may mean venue overhead, agreed show expenses or a broader recovery amount. Translate the shorthand into named line items and a formula.

Also called: House nut; Show nut

References: tseentertainment.com

O

Offer

Category: Booking & deals

A proposal to book talent, a venue or services on specified commercial terms. A useful offer identifies the engagement, fee or deal formula, dates, scope, expenses and payment schedule. Whether accepting it creates a binding contract depends on its wording and applicable law.

Also called: Offer sheet; Booking offer

References: systemonesoftware.com

Onsale

Category: Ticketing & box office

The time when a specified ticket allocation becomes available to purchase. An event may have separate presales, a general onsale and later releases. Always attach the date, time zone, channel and eligible inventory; the first onsale is not necessarily when all tickets are released.

Also called: On-sale; General sale; Public onsale

References: ticketmaster.com

Open mic

Category: Event formats

A performance event offering short spots to a range of acts, often including newcomers or people trying material. Access may involve advance booking, a sign-up list, or selection. Open mic does not guarantee anyone can walk in and perform or that every spot is unpaid.

Also called: Open-mic night

References: angelcomedy.co.uk

Overage

Category: Money & settlement

Additional artist compensation earned above a guarantee under the agreed deal. If a versus calculation produces $6,400 against a $5,000 guarantee, the artist’s overage is $1,400. Some settlements use overage for the surplus pool before splitting it, so label the pool and artist share separately.

Also called: Overages; Artist overage

References: Levitt Foundation

P

Paid attendance

Category: Ticketing & box office

A count associated with paid admissions, but one whose exact definition varies between reports. It may mean paid tickets issued rather than people who actually entered. State whether refunds, no-shows, packages and multi-day passes are included before using it in comparisons or per-head calculations.

Also called: Paid admissions; Paid count

References: Spektrix · atvenu.zendesk.com

Panel discussion

Category: Event formats

A session in which several contributors discuss a topic, usually guided by a moderator rather than delivering one uninterrupted lecture each. Audience questions may form part of it. Panel design needs to account for the balance of voices, microphones, seating, and allotted time.

Also called: Panel

References: toastmasters.org

Patch

Category: Lighting & video

The mapping between controls and the devices or signal paths they operate. In lighting it connects console channels or fixtures to addresses and outputs; in audio it routes sources and destinations. A patch can be a software assignment, a physical connection, or both.

References: ETC

Payout

Category: Money & settlement

A transfer of collected funds from a ticketing platform, processor or other collecting party to the organizer or seller. Its timing and amount reflect settlement rules, fees, tax, refunds, reserves and previous transfers. A payout is neither gross revenue nor an event’s profit.

Also called: Remittance; Ticketing payout

References: support.eventbrite.com

Per diem

Category: Touring & hospitality

A daily payment intended to cover specified incidental or subsistence expenses while traveling. What it includes, how travel days are treated, and whether receipts are needed depend on the agreement and applicable rules. It is distinct from wages, a performance fee, or a one-meal buyout.

Also called: Daily allowance

Per-head spend

Category: Merchandise

A revenue measure divided by a defined attendance count. Merchandise revenue of $6,000 across 1,000 paid attendees equals $6 per head, not $6 per purchaser. Specify gross or net sales, included products and the denominator; platform and event reporting conventions differ.

Also called: Spend per head; Dollars per head; $/head; Per cap

References: atvenu.zendesk.com

Performance contract

Category: Commercial & insurance

An agreement defining the engagement and the parties’ obligations, including what is delivered, when, where and for what payment. It should address expenses, cancellation, rights and relevant riders. A written record reduces uncertainty, although some agreements can be binding without a formally signed document.

Also called: Engagement agreement; Booking contract

References: equity.org.uk

Phantom power

Category: Audio

DC power supplied through a balanced microphone connection to compatible devices, commonly condenser microphones or active DIs. Forty-eight volts is a familiar version, not the only specification. Phantom power is not audio gain, and compatibility depends on the connected equipment and wiring.

Also called: P48; +48 V

References: service.shure.com

Pipe and drape

Category: Event formats

A modular system of uprights, crossbars, and fabric used to define booths, conceal areas, or create visual partitions. It is common in North American exhibitions. Standard pipe and drape is not automatically an acoustic wall, structural support, secure enclosure, or outdoor-rated system.

Also called: Pipe & drape

References: freeman.com

Pit

Category: Safety & accessibility

In concert operations, the controlled working space between the audience barrier and stage, often used by security, medical responders, or accredited photographers. In theatre, pit may instead mean the orchestra area. Its access rules and purpose must be specified for the particular event.

Also called: Front-of-stage pit; Photo pit

References: HSE

Pixel pitch

Category: Lighting & video

The center-to-center spacing between neighboring pixels on a display, usually stated in millimeters for LED walls. A smaller pitch fits more pixels into the same area. It is one factor in viewing quality, not a substitute for considering content, distance, brightness, and overall resolution.

References: barco.com

Places / the half

Category: Production & show control

Places or beginners calls performers to their opening positions. The half is a pre-show time call, with timing governed by local convention; in UK theatre it is often given 35 minutes before the advertised start. Neither call replaces the specific reporting time on the schedule.

Also called: Places; Beginners; The half; Half-hour call

References: theatrecrafts.com

Playback

Category: Audio

The reproduction of prepared audio, video, or other media during an event. It can supply introductions, sound effects, backing tracks, or complete segments. Playback does not necessarily mean miming, and its start, stop, routing, and fallback behavior are separate production decisions.

Also called: Playback system

References: qlab.app

Plenary session

Category: Event formats

A session designed for all conference participants together rather than a subset attending a parallel track. It may include a keynote, panel, awards, or organizational business. General session is a common related term, though an event's own program may distinguish them.

Also called: Plenary; General session

References: oxfordabstracts.com

Plus deal

Category: Booking & deals

A deal paying a guarantee plus a further percentage of an agreed revenue or profit pool. A $5,000 guarantee plus 50% of a defined $2,000 residual pays $6,000. The contract must say whether the guarantee and show costs are deducted before that residual is calculated.

Also called: Guarantee plus percentage; Plus backend

References: Ontario Presents

Point load

Category: Stage & rigging

A load concentrated at a particular location rather than spread along a surface or structure. A heavy case, riser leg, or rigging attachment can create one. Acceptability depends on the supporting structure and load arrangement, not merely the event's total equipment weight.

References: prolyte.com

Policy limit

Category: Commercial & insurance

The maximum an insurer will pay within a defined coverage, claim, occurrence or policy period. A per-occurrence limit and an aggregate limit are different constraints. Sublimits, defence-cost treatment, deductibles and exclusions can further affect the amount available for a particular event loss.

Also called: Limit of indemnity; Coverage limit

References: content.naic.org

Power distribution

Category: Safety & accessibility

The equipment and arrangement that distributes electrical power from a source to event systems. It may serve lighting, audio, catering, site infrastructure, and other loads. The term does not identify available capacity or protection; the installation requires competent design, operation, and verification.

Also called: Distro

References: HSE

Presale

Category: Ticketing & box office

A sales window before the general onsale, usually restricted to an eligible group or access method. Examples include members, fan-club subscribers or cardholders. Presale access does not guarantee tickets or a lower price, and only part of the event’s inventory may be available.

Also called: Pre-sale

References: help.ticketmaster.com

Presenter

Category: Booking & deals

In performing arts, the organization that selects and brings work to its audience, arranging the engagement, venue and supporting delivery. A presenter may be a festival, arts centre, university or community organization. In conferences, presenter can instead mean the person giving a talk, so identify the role.

Also called: Arts presenter; Presenting organization

References: capacoa.ca · oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com

Price scaling

Category: Ticketing & box office

Assigning prices to different parts or categories of an event’s inventory. A seated venue might price the front stalls differently from the balcony. Scaling establishes the mix used for gross-potential calculations and should distinguish seat location, ticket type and optional packages.

Also called: Ticket scale; House scale; Price bands

References: Spektrix

Production kill

Category: Ticketing & box office

A place removed from saleable inventory because of the event configuration, such as a blocked sightline, camera platform or technical installation. It is neither a sale nor a comp. A kill may be restored and released if the approved configuration later permits it; some systems implement kills as holds or masking.

Also called: Kill; Kills; Seat kill; Technical kill; Production kills

References: Theatre Manager · Spektrix · Ticketmaster

Production manager

Category: People & roles

The person coordinating the technical delivery of a production, often overseeing suppliers, crew, equipment, budgets, schedules, and the advance. Scope varies between venues, tours, and corporate events. The production manager is not automatically the creative director, event owner, or the person calling every live cue.

Also called: PM

References: NAMM

Production schedule

Category: Production & show control

The working timetable for building, testing, rehearsing, presenting, and removing an event. It can include several departments working simultaneously. Unlike a public program, it covers the work the audience never sees, including crew calls, deliveries, inspections, breaks, and handovers.

Profile spotlight

Category: Lighting & video

A spotlight with optics that can produce a defined beam edge and often project patterns or shape the beam with shutters. Ellipsoidal and ERS are common North American terms for related designs. Actual capabilities vary, so a fixture name alone is not a complete specification.

Also called: Ellipsoidal; ERS

References: ETC

Program / preview

Category: Lighting & video

Program is the live output selected for the audience or downstream system. Preview is a view used to prepare an upcoming source or transition before it goes live. Each output destination can have its own program, so program does not always mean the room's main screen.

Also called: PGM; PVW

References: extron.com

Projection mapping

Category: Lighting & video

Aligning projected content to the shape and position of a surface, object, or building rather than treating it as a conventional flat screen. Mapping combines content design, geometry, and projection setup. It is different from simply filling a rectangular screen with a presentation.

References: barco.com

Promoter

Category: Booking & deals

The person or organization arranging, marketing and often financing an event, usually taking responsibility for its commercial outcome. Duties can include booking talent, hiring the venue and coordinating production. A promoter is not necessarily the venue owner, talent buyer or artist’s agent, although roles can overlap.

Also called: Event promoter; Concert promoter

References: berklee.edu

Promoter profit

Category: Money & settlement

The promoter’s actual event profit after applicable revenue and costs, or a specifically named allowance in a deal formula. Those are different concepts. A contracted promoter-profit allowance included before an artist split does not prove the promoter ultimately made that amount after all obligations.

Also called: Promoter margin; Promoter-profit allowance

References: tseentertainment.com

Prompt book

Category: Stage & rigging

The stage-management master script or score containing the information needed to run the production, including cues, movements, and relevant notes. Its structure varies by company. Being on the book refers to working from this control copy, not simply holding a printed script.

Also called: The book; Prompt script

References: theatrecrafts.com

Props

Category: Stage & rigging

Objects used or handled as part of a performance, such as a letter, cup, or practical telephone. The props department may also manage furniture and set dressing under the production's agreed boundaries. A prop's artistic function does not remove any hazards associated with its use.

Also called: Properties; Stage properties

References: getintotheatre.org

Proscenium

Category: Stage & rigging

The opening or frame through which an audience views a traditional stage. A proscenium layout generally separates the audience from the playing area on one main side. The term describes the stage arrangement, not the entire theatre building or a particular style of performance.

Also called: Proscenium arch

References: inthecompanyofactors.com.au

Public address system

Category: Audio

The equipment used to make speech, music, or other audio audible to an audience, typically including inputs, processing, amplification, and loudspeakers. PA is often used for the main audience system. Monitors, backstage paging, and emergency announcements may use separate systems or paths.

Also called: PA; Sound reinforcement system

References: Shure

Public liability insurance

Category: Commercial & insurance

Insurance addressing covered liability to third parties for injury or property damage arising from insured activities. It is commonly requested by venues and event partners. It does not automatically cover employee injuries, cancellation losses, owned equipment or every contractual obligation; exclusions and territory matter.

Also called: General liability insurance; Commercial general liability; CGL

References: content.naic.org

Public-performance licence

Category: Commercial & insurance

Permission to perform protected music publicly within the licence’s repertoire and scope. A performer’s booking fee or a personal streaming subscription does not automatically supply it. Required rights and responsible parties vary by country and use; music, recordings, theatre works and screenings may need different permissions.

Also called: Public performance license; Music licence; PRO licence

References: gov.texas.gov

Q

Quiet space

Category: Safety & accessibility

A designated area offering relief from the event's noise or sensory intensity. Its exact facilities and staffing should be explained rather than assumed. It is not automatically a medical room, safeguarding service, soundproof room, or suitable emergency shelter.

Also called: Quiet room; Low-sensory space

References: mass.gov · who.int

R

Radius clause

Category: Booking & deals

A booking restriction on other performances within a stated geographic area and time period. It may also govern announcement dates or particular event types. Record exceptions, distance measurement and covered appearances; festival, theatre and commercial requirements differ and enforceability depends on local law.

Also called: Barring clause; Territorial restriction

References: Ontario Presents

Reconciliation

Category: Money & settlement

Matching related financial records and explaining differences, for example ticket sales against processor transactions, payout reports and bank deposits. Reconciliation accounts for timing as well as fees, refunds, taxes and adjustments. A bank deposit alone is not enough to establish event revenue or a correct settlement.

Also called: Payment reconciliation; Bank reconciliation

References: eventbrite.co.uk

Recording and broadcast rights

Category: Commercial & insurance

Permissions needed to capture, transmit or reuse an event or performance. A live engagement does not automatically include filming, streaming, on-demand replay or commercial clips. Agree media, territory, duration, editing, approvals and fees, and clear relevant performer, music, production and other rights.

Also called: Capture rights; Streaming rights; Broadcast permission

References: Musicians’ Union · Musicians’ Union

Refund

Category: Ticketing & box office

Money returned to a purchaser against an original transaction, in full or in part. A refund may also invalidate the ticket or restore inventory, depending on the workflow. Record admission value, fees, taxes and payment status separately, and follow applicable law and the published policy.

Also called: Ticket refund

References: eventbrite.co.uk

Reserve

Category: Money & settlement

Funds temporarily retained by a platform or processor to cover potential refunds, chargebacks or other liabilities. A reserve affects available cash without necessarily being an expense. Its amount, release schedule and permitted uses depend on the agreement and can change with risk assessment.

Also called: Payment reserve; Rolling reserve; Holdback reserve

References: support.stripe.com

Reserved seating

Category: Ticketing & box office

Admission assigning a particular seat or defined seating position to the holder. The seat identifier, view restrictions and accessible-seating conditions should match the sold product. Reserved seating is different from a reservation that temporarily holds an unpaid ticket.

Also called: Assigned seating; Allocated seating

References: help.ticketmaster.com

RF coordination

Category: Audio

Planning and managing radio frequencies for wireless microphones, in-ear monitors, and related equipment so systems can coexist with each other and the local radio environment. It includes more than choosing unused-looking channels. Permitted frequencies and licensing requirements vary by country and location.

Also called: Frequency coordination

References: Shure

Rigger

Category: People & roles

A specialist who installs, operates, inspects, or removes equipment used to support and move production loads within their competence and assigned scope. Roles can be divided between ground and overhead work. A job title alone is not evidence of qualification for every system or jurisdiction.

References: etcp.esta.org

Rigging

Category: Stage & rigging

The equipment and work used to suspend, raise, lower, or support production loads such as scenery, lighting, loudspeakers, and video displays. It includes more than attaching hardware. The word does not establish that a system has been designed, inspected, or approved for its intended use.

References: jrclancy.com

Rigging point

Category: Stage & rigging

A specified location where a rigging load connects to a building or supporting structure. A point's permitted loading depends on the structure and the approved design. A convenient beam or existing attachment is not automatically an available point for a new show.

Also called: Point

References: etcp.esta.org

Riser

Category: Stage & rigging

A raised platform used to elevate performers, equipment, seating, or part of a presentation. Risers may be fixed for the show or designed to roll during changeovers. The term alone says nothing about load capacity, edge protection, access, or suitability for a proposed use.

Also called: Stage riser; Platform

References: wengercorp.com

Risk assessment

Category: Safety & accessibility

A structured examination of what could cause harm, who might be affected, and how the risks will be eliminated or reduced. It should reflect the actual event and be reviewed when conditions change. A generic template or supplier certificate is not the complete assessment.

References: HSE

Room block

Category: Commercial & insurance

A group of hotel rooms allocated for an event over specified nights and terms. A courtesy block and a contracted block with financial commitments are different products. Record rates, booking cutoff, eligible guests, release provisions and whether unused rooms create liability.

Also called: Hotel block; Accommodation block

References: blink.ucsd.edu

Room pickup

Category: Commercial & insurance

The number of room nights actually booked or credited to an event’s hotel block at a stated time. Pickup is not the same as registrations or unique hotel guests. Define which booking channels, staff rooms and dates count before assessing performance against the contractual commitment.

Also called: Pickup; Block pickup

References: mpi.org

Rooming list

Category: Touring & hospitality

The accommodation allocation identifying who is assigned to each hotel room and for which nights. It helps coordinate check-in, room types, and changes. Because it contains personal travel information, it should be shared only with people who need it for the arrangements.

Routing

Category: Touring & hospitality

The order and geography of a tour's destinations and the travel connecting them. Good routing balances show opportunities with travel time, costs, rest, and operational limits. It is not simply the shortest line between cities, especially when vehicles, border crossings, or equipment movements differ.

Run of show

Category: Production & show control

The ordered sequence of an event's live content, usually with timings, participants, and production notes. A conference version may track speeches, videos, and awards; a festival version may track sets and changeovers. A detailed cue sheet can sit beneath it rather than replace it.

Also called: ROS; Running order; Rundown

References: sfu.ca

Runner

Category: People & roles

A support person handling assigned errands, collections, deliveries, and practical coordination during an event. The title can include driving but does not guarantee it. Clear task ownership, contact details, and boundaries matter because runners often work across several departments with competing requests.

Also called: Production runner

S

Safe capacity

Category: Safety & accessibility

The number of people a space can accommodate under the relevant design, operational, and regulatory conditions. Capacity can depend on layout, exits, circulation, activities, and staffing. The ticket allocation or maximum standing-room estimate is not automatically the safe capacity for every event configuration.

Also called: Occupancy limit

References: HSE

Safe working load

Category: Stage & rigging

A term used for the load permitted in a stated application or set of operating conditions. Usage varies by jurisdiction and equipment documentation. It may coincide with a working load limit, but the terms should not be substituted casually when the applicable conditions or ratings differ.

Also called: SWL

References: jrclancy.com · cdn.asp.events

Scanned attendance

Category: Ticketing & box office

Admissions recorded as validated by a ticket-scanning system. It differs from tickets sold and may include complimentary attendees. For an actual visitor count, account for re-entry, duplicate scans, manual admissions and shared or multi-session credentials rather than treating every scan as a unique person.

Also called: Scan count; Checked-in attendance

References: Spektrix

Scrim

Category: Stage & rigging

A loosely woven scenic fabric whose visual effect changes with lighting. It may appear relatively opaque when lit from the front and reveal a scene behind when the lighting relationship changes. Scrim is also used more broadly for mesh materials, so specify the intended product.

Also called: Theatrical gauze

References: sewwhatinc.com

Security operative

Category: People & roles

A person assigned protective or enforcement duties, such as authorized searches, access control, or responding to disorder. Required training and licensing depend on the task and jurisdiction. Security and stewarding can overlap operationally, but a steward's title does not automatically qualify them for regulated security work.

Also called: Event security; Security staff

References: gov.uk

Sellable capacity

Category: Ticketing & box office

The number of places that can be sold for the approved event layout and chosen reporting basis. Remove unusable places and account for committed comps or other exclusions. State whether unreleased holds are included in eventual sellable capacity or excluded from inventory available right now.

Also called: Saleable capacity; Net capacity

References: cadoganhall.com · ticketsolve.zendesk.com

Sellout

Category: Ticketing & box office

A status indicating that the stated ticket allocation or saleable inventory has been exhausted. Identify whether it describes a presale, ticket type, session or entire event. A sellout does not prove every physical seat is occupied, and later releases or returned tickets may still become available.

Also called: Sold out; Sell-out

References: help.ticketmaster.sg

Set / set time

Category: Production & show control

A set is an act's scheduled performance segment; set time usually means its start time, while set length means its duration. In theatre, set can instead mean the scenic environment. Clear schedules state start and finish times rather than relying on the word set alone.

Also called: Set; Set time; Performance slot

Setlist

Category: Production & show control

The planned order of songs, routines, or other material within an act's performance. It may include transitions, cues, or timing notes. A setlist belongs inside the broader event running order and may change during the show, with consequences for production cues and duration.

Also called: Set list

Settlement

Category: Money & settlement

The process of checking an event’s revenues, authorized deductions, costs, deal calculations and previous payments to determine what each party owes. It may occur in stages, with later true-ups for unresolved items. Settlement is an accounting agreement, distinct from the bank transfer that pays it.

Also called: Show settlement; Event settlement

References: scotiabankarena.com

Settlement sheet

Category: Money & settlement

The financial record supporting settlement, showing ticket results, contractual deductions, approved expenses, fee calculations, deposits and balance due. Attach source reports and receipts where appropriate. Record disputed or provisional items explicitly rather than treating an unsigned estimate as an agreed final account.

Also called: Settlement statement; Show settlement report

References: uktheatre.org

Shell scheme

Category: Event formats

A standardized exhibition stand package, commonly providing a basic wall system, fascia, and other listed elements. Its exact inclusions are defined by the organizer. Shell scheme is different from booking space only, and it does not automatically include every service an exhibitor needs.

References: mroeurope.aviationweek.com

Shelter in place

Category: Safety & accessibility

A protective action in which people remain in, or move to, a suitable designated shelter rather than leave the area. Suitability depends on the hazard and the event's emergency plan. It does not mean that every tent, temporary structure, or existing location is safe.

References: osha.gov

Show caller

Category: People & roles

The person giving the agreed live cues to operators and participants so the event's technical and presentation elements happen in sequence. They usually work from a script or run of show. Show calling is an assigned function and may be performed by a stage manager or a separate specialist.

Also called: Caller

Show costs

Category: Money & settlement

Expenses incurred to stage and present an event, such as rental, crew, marketing, security and production. Not every genuine expense is automatically deductible from a performer’s percentage. The contract determines which costs qualify, what documentation is needed and whether approval or caps apply.

Also called: Event expenses; Allowable expenses

References: Musicians’ Union

Show report

Category: Production & show control

A record of what happened during a performance or event session, including timings, attendance where relevant, faults, incidents, and follow-up work. It preserves practical information for the next shift or show. It should distinguish verified events from observations or issues still being investigated.

Also called: Performance report

Show stop

Category: Safety & accessibility

A deliberate interruption or ending of a performance under an agreed procedure, often so a safety concern can be assessed or managed. It does not automatically mean evacuation or cancellation. The event plan defines who can initiate it, how it is communicated, and how any restart is authorized.

Also called: Show-stop

References: HSE

Shrinkage

Category: Merchandise

Inventory that cannot be accounted for through recorded sales or authorized movements. Causes can include theft, damage, miscounts and data errors. Investigate the difference between expected and physical stock before assigning a cause, and keep legitimate comps or transfers out of unexplained shrinkage.

Also called: Stock shrink; Inventory loss

References: shopify.com

SKU

Category: Merchandise

A stock-keeping unit identifier used to track a particular product and variant. A medium black event shirt and a large black shirt normally need separate SKUs for useful inventory reporting. A SKU is an internal stock identifier, not necessarily a barcode or universal product number.

Also called: Stock-keeping unit

References: help.shopify.com

Snake

Category: Audio

A cable assembly carrying several audio circuits between locations, often between the stage and a mixing position. A stage box provides accessible connection points. Digital stage links can perform a similar transport role, but their format and compatibility are not interchangeable with an analog multicore.

Also called: Multicore; Audio multicore

References: Shure

Soft-ticket event

Category: Booking & deals

Booking shorthand for an engagement where the performer is part of a broader experience or receives a fee not directly tied to their own ticket draw, such as a fair, festival, campus or corporate event. It may still charge admission; soft ticket does not mean free or digital.

Also called: Soft ticket; Soft-ticket show

References: degy.com

Sound pressure level

Category: Audio

A measure of sound pressure relative to a reference, expressed in decibels. A useful event measurement also specifies factors such as frequency weighting, time response, position, and duration. A bare number of decibels does not provide enough information to compare sound exposure or assess compliance.

Also called: SPL

References: iris.who.int

Soundcheck

Category: Production & show control

A pre-show session for checking and adjusting the sound system with the performers or speakers. It may include input levels, audience sound, and monitor mixes. A successful soundcheck does not remove the need to adapt during the event as the audience and conditions change.

References: au.yamaha.com

Space only

Category: Event formats

An exhibition booking for floor area without a complete ready-built stand. The exhibitor typically arranges a suitable design, build, and required approvals or services. Space only does not mean unrestricted construction; the organizer's rules and venue requirements still govern the installation.

Also called: Raw space; Bare space

References: mroeurope.aviationweek.com

Spike mark

Category: Stage & rigging

A small, agreed mark on the stage floor showing where a performer, piece of scenery, microphone stand, or other item belongs. Often made with suitable tape, it supports repeatable placement. Different colors or symbols need a shared meaning within that production.

Also called: Spike

Split point

Category: Booking & deals

The contractually defined revenue threshold at which a percentage share or further division of proceeds begins. It may include agreed costs, a guarantee or another allowance. It is not automatically the event’s accounting break-even point; the deal’s calculation controls.

Also called: Participation threshold

References: bauerentertainmentmarketing.com

Sponsorship

Category: Commercial & insurance

An exchange in which an organization provides money or other value for agreed association with an event and specified benefits. Benefits may include branding, hospitality or exhibition opportunities. Define deliverables, approvals, category conflicts and evidence of fulfilment; sponsorship is not automatically an unrestricted donation.

Also called: Event sponsorship; Commercial partnership

References: iaee.com

Stage deck

Category: Stage & rigging

The working surface of a stage, or one of the modular panels used to build it. Crews may also say on deck to mean onstage. The surface, supporting system, loading, and access arrangements are separate considerations, not properties guaranteed by the word deck.

Also called: Deck

References: wengercorp.com

Stage left / stage right

Category: Stage & rigging

Directions taken from the perspective of a performer facing the audience. Stage left is therefore normally the audience's right. House left and house right use the audience's viewpoint instead. Plans and radio calls should name the convention rather than assume everyone shares the same perspective.

Also called: SL; SR

References: irtlive.imgix.net

Stage manager

Category: People & roles

The person or team coordinating activity on and around the stage and keeping the performance running as agreed. Theatre responsibilities often extend through rehearsals and documentation. At festivals, the role may emphasize act arrivals, stage readiness, changeovers, and schedule; titles do not guarantee identical duties.

Also called: SM

References: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

Stage plot

Category: Production & show control

A drawing showing where performers, instruments, microphones, monitors, risers, or other equipment sit on stage. Its viewpoint and labels should be clear. It describes the physical layout, while an input list describes the audio connections associated with that layout.

Also called: Stage plan

References: Musicians’ Union

Stagehand

Category: People & roles

A crew member who helps install, operate, move, or remove production equipment and scenery within their assigned work. Stagehands may be generalists or specialists in particular departments. The term does not imply unskilled labor or authorize someone to undertake every technical task.

Also called: Hand

References: iatse93.org

Standby / go

Category: Production & show control

Standby tells the relevant operator to prepare for an identified cue; go is the instruction to execute it. The distinction supports clear timing across departments. The cue's identifier and agreed wording matter, particularly when several operators are waiting and ordinary conversation could be mistaken for a command.

Also called: Standby; Go

References: schooltheatre.org

Standing room only

Category: Ticketing & box office

Admission that provides standing space rather than a reserved seat, within the area identified on the ticket. A venue may have standing-only sections alongside seated sections. Do not promise seating simply because the ticket carries a row or inventory identifier.

Also called: SRO

References: help.ticketmaster.com

Steward

Category: People & roles

A person helping manage audience safety and movement, for example by monitoring areas, directing people, and supporting agreed emergency arrangements. Responsibilities vary by event and training. Steward is not a universal synonym for security guard, and some assigned duties may trigger separate qualification or licensing requirements.

Also called: Event steward

References: gov.uk

Strike

Category: Production & show control

Taking down an event's scenery, equipment, or installation after use. Strike can refer to a complete show or one item, as in striking a lectern between sessions. It does not necessarily include loading trucks or restoring every part of the site.

Also called: De-rig; Dismantle

Subwoofer

Category: Audio

A loudspeaker designed to reproduce the lower-frequency part of the audio spectrum. It works with the rest of the system rather than replacing full-range coverage. The word does not specify one universal frequency range, and placement can strongly affect how bass reaches different areas.

Also called: Sub

References: dbaudio.com

Support act

Category: Production & show control

An act appearing on a bill in support of a featured performer, usually before that performer. Support status describes the bill, not artistic quality. A tour support act may travel with the headliner, while local support can change from one date to another.

Also called: Support; Opening act; Opener

Swing

Category: People & roles

A performer trained to cover several tracks, commonly within a musical's ensemble. A track can include singing, movement, entrances, and other assigned business rather than one named character. Swing arrangements vary, including whether the performer normally appears onstage or remains available offstage.

References: playbill.com

Systems engineer

Category: People & roles

An audio specialist responsible for making the sound system perform appropriately across the intended coverage area, including design, deployment, alignment, and monitoring. The role is distinct from mixing the artistic balance, although one person may do both. The title's exact scope varies by supplier.

Also called: Audio systems engineer

References: berklee.edu

T

Talent buyer

Category: Booking & deals

The person selecting and negotiating talent on behalf of a venue, promoter, festival or event client. Responsibilities may include offers, budgets, routing and programme fit. The buyer represents the purchasing side of the engagement, while a booking agent normally represents the performer or speaker.

Also called: Entertainment buyer; Buyer; Concert buyer

References: berklee.edu

Tax-inclusive price

Category: Money & settlement

A price that already contains applicable tax rather than having it added at checkout. To remove a hypothetical 20% tax from a $120 inclusive amount, divide by 1.20: the pre-tax value is $100 and tax is $20. The applicable rate and taxable base must be verified.

Also called: Tax included; Inclusive of tax

References: atvenu.zendesk.com

Technical director

Category: People & roles

A senior technical role whose meaning changes by sector. In theatre or events it may oversee technical feasibility and delivery; in North American broadcast production it can mean the person operating the production switcher. The title should be accompanied by a clear description of responsibilities.

Also called: TD

Technical rehearsal

Category: Production & show control

A rehearsal focused on combining the technical elements of a production, such as sound, lighting, video, scenery, and performer movements. It may stop frequently to solve problems. It is different from a dress rehearsal, which aims to run the show in performance conditions.

Also called: Tech rehearsal; Tech

References: getintotheatre.org

Technical rider

Category: Production & show control

A document setting out the technical resources a performance or presentation needs, such as sound, lighting, staging, power, and crew. It may form part of a contract. The rider states requirements; the advance checks how those requirements will be met at a particular event.

Also called: Tech rider; Technical specification; Tech spec

References: workingmusiciansalliance.org

Teleprompter

Category: Lighting & video

A system presenting a scrolling script in a speaker's line of sight, often through reflective glass in front of a camera or on stage displays. Autocue is a brand name often used informally. A teleprompter provides scripted text, not necessarily presentation slides or a countdown.

Also called: Autocue

References: autocue.com

Temporary demountable structure

Category: Stage & rigging

A structure assembled for temporary use and intended to be dismantled, such as a stage roof, grandstand, or event marquee. Temporary does not mean informal. Its design, installation, handover, use, and removal require appropriate planning and competent oversight under the applicable local framework.

Also called: TDS

References: HSE · istructe.org

Thrust stage

Category: Stage & rigging

A stage that projects into the audience, usually with spectators on three sides. This changes sightlines, entrances, scenery choices, and speaker or microphone placement compared with an end-on stage. It is different from in-the-round, where the audience surrounds the playing area.

References: Theatres Trust

Ticket allocation

Category: Ticketing & box office

A specified portion of inventory assigned to a sales channel, partner or purpose, such as a ticket agent, sponsor or visiting team. Allocate from one controlled total to avoid double-selling. An allocation describes who can distribute tickets, not whether those tickets have been sold.

Also called: Allotment; Ticket allotment

References: Spektrix

Ticket audit

Category: Ticketing & box office

A reconciliation of the event’s ticket inventory and sales records at a stated cutoff. It should distinguish paid sales, refunds, comps, holds, kills and available inventory, with revenue by price category. Here audit need not mean an independent statutory financial audit.

Also called: Final ticket audit; Ticket reconciliation

References: bauerentertainmentmarketing.com

Ticket hold

Category: Ticketing & box office

Inventory temporarily withheld from general sale for a specific purpose, such as production review, partners, accessibility arrangements or guest requirements. Held tickets may later be sold, issued free or released. A hold is neither a completed sale nor automatically a complimentary ticket.

Also called: Holdback; Set-aside; Lock

References: Spektrix

Ticket inventory

Category: Ticketing & box office

The full set of admission units tracked for an event, performance, session or time slot. Inventory can include available, sold, reserved, held, complimentary and unusable places. A quantity removed from public sale is not necessarily sold, and tickets are not always individual seats.

Also called: Ticket stock; Seat inventory

References: ticketsolve.zendesk.com

Ticket manifest

Category: Ticketing & box office

A structured record of the admission inventory, commonly showing sections, rows, seats, price levels and status. For general admission it may instead describe quantities by area or ticket type. It supports setup and reconciliation and is different from a named attendee or guest list.

Also called: Seat manifest; House manifest

References: bauerentertainmentmarketing.com

Ticket release

Category: Ticketing & box office

Making an additional allocation available for purchase, often after holds are cleared, partner requirements change or production confirms usable places. A release can occur after an event was advertised as sold out. State the channel, eligibility and quantity; a release is not necessarily a discount or added capacity.

Also called: Ticket drop; Inventory release; Production release; Late release

References: Ticketmaster · help.ticketmaster.co.uk

Ticket resale

Category: Ticketing & box office

A sale of a ticket after its original issuance, usually by a holder or intermediary. Resale prices and fees can differ from the original admission price. Authorization, transferability, resale limits and buyer protections vary by platform, event and jurisdiction.

Also called: Secondary ticketing; Secondary market

References: help.ticketmaster.com

Ticket sell-through

Category: Ticketing & box office

The proportion of a defined saleable allocation that has sold at a stated time. Selling 750 of 1,000 saleable tickets gives 75% sell-through. State treatment of comps, holds, refunds and newly released capacity, because changing the denominator can change the percentage without another sale.

Also called: Sell-through rate; Sales occupancy

References: Spektrix

Ticket tier

Category: Ticketing & box office

A defined ticket price or benefit level. Tiers may reflect purchase timing, a limited quantity, location or access privileges. Describe the basis clearly: moving from early-bird to standard pricing does not necessarily change admission benefits, while moving from general admission to VIP may.

Also called: Pricing tier; Ticket level

References: eventbrite.com

Ticket transfer

Category: Ticketing & box office

Reassigning a ticket to another recipient through the authorized ticketing process. A transfer does not inherently involve payment or a refund, and availability may depend on the event. Confirm that the recipient accepted it and understand which barcode or credential remains valid.

Also called: Transfer

References: help.ticketmaster.com

Tight five

Category: Event formats

A compact, well-rehearsed comedy set of roughly five minutes, usually built around material the comedian trusts. Tight refers to its economy and reliability, not a fixed universal script. It differs from trying five minutes of untested material at an open mic.

References: comedy.co.uk

Timecode

Category: Lighting & video

A time-position reference used to coordinate systems or trigger events at specified points. It can link audio, lighting, video, and other show elements. Timecode is not itself the media or a guarantee of synchronized outputs; each system's trigger behavior and processing delay still matter.

Also called: LTC; MTC

References: qlab.app

Timed-entry ticket

Category: Ticketing & box office

Admission tied to a defined arrival date and time slot, used for attractions, exhibitions, experiences and other events with managed visitor flow. The ticket should distinguish entry window from permitted visit duration. Capacity must be controlled across overlapping slots as well as individual sales allocations.

Also called: Time-slot ticket; Timed admission

References: eventbrite.com

Tour itinerary

Category: Touring & hospitality

The organized schedule of a tour's dates, destinations, travel, accommodation, and key activities. It gives the wider journey, while a day sheet explains one day's detail. Changes in routing, border requirements, or arrival times can affect several later dates, not just the next show.

Tour manager

Category: Touring & hospitality

The person coordinating the touring party's day-to-day operation, including travel, schedules, communication, and often financial administration. They connect the artist or company with local organizers. On smaller tours the role may overlap with production management, but technical delivery and tour logistics are distinct responsibilities.

Also called: TM

References: berklee.edu

Travel day

Category: Touring & hospitality

A day allocated mainly to moving people or equipment between locations rather than presenting a show. Travel can still involve substantial work and fatigue. A travel day is not automatically a rest day, a day off, or a day without scheduled calls.

Truss

Category: Stage & rigging

An engineered framework used to support production equipment or form part of a temporary structure. Its capacity depends on the specific product, configuration, supports, and loads. Similar-looking pieces are not necessarily interchangeable, and the word truss is not itself a load rating.

References: ia15.org

U

Understudy

Category: People & roles

A performer prepared to take over another role when needed. They may also have their own regular part in the production, although arrangements vary. Understudy describes a covering responsibility, not someone who is necessarily inexperienced; a swing may instead cover several different performance tracks.

Also called: Cover

References: depts.ttu.edu · playbill.com

Universe

Category: Lighting & video

A group of up to 512 DMX control slots, used to organize lighting data. Larger shows use multiple universes transported by physical connections or network protocols. Universe numbers and device addresses must be interpreted within the actual system rather than assumed from connector labels.

Also called: DMX universe

References: ETC

Upstage / downstage

Category: Stage & rigging

Upstage means toward the back of a conventional stage, away from the audience; downstage means toward its front. These directions remain in use on level stages. In unusual layouts, such as in-the-round, the production needs an agreed orientation rather than an assumed front.

Also called: US; DS

References: irtlive.imgix.net

V

Variable cost

Category: Money & settlement

A cost that changes with a defined activity, such as per-attendee catering, per-ticket processing or a revenue-based venue charge. Identify what drives it and whether minimums or caps apply. Some event expenses combine a fixed base with a variable component.

Also called: Variable expense

References: legacy.sba.gov

VAT

Category: Money & settlement

Value added tax, a transaction tax relevant to admissions, services and merchandise in many jurisdictions. Rates, exemptions and recovery rules depend on location, supplier and supply type. Cultural or nonprofit status does not automatically make all event income exempt; show tax-inclusive and tax-exclusive figures separately.

Also called: Value added tax

References: gov.uk

Versus deal

Category: Booking & deals

A deal paying the greater of a guarantee or a specified percentage calculation, rather than adding both. For example, a $5,000 guarantee versus 80% of a defined $8,000 pool pays $6,400 total. Define the pool and deductions expressly; terminology varies between markets.

Also called: Guarantee versus percentage; Guarantee against percentage; Against deal

References: WIPO

Vision mixer

Category: Lighting & video

A device or system for selecting and combining video sources into a live output, often with transitions and graphics. Vision mixer can also name its operator in some markets. A production switcher is different from a simple distribution device or matrix router.

Also called: Video switcher; Production switcher

References: extron.com

W

Waitlist

Category: Ticketing & box office

A queue of people interested in tickets if inventory becomes available. Joining does not itself confer admission or guarantee a future offer. State how releases are allocated, how long offers remain valid and whether payment is collected only after a ticket is accepted.

Also called: Waiting list

References: eventbrite.sg

Walk-up sales

Category: Ticketing & box office

Tickets bought at or shortly before the event, commonly through the venue box office or on-site sales team. Walk-up sales may use a different price from advance tickets. They still require inventory control, tax and fee handling, payment records and inclusion in final settlement.

Also called: Door sales; Walk-in sales; Day-of-show sales

References: eventbrite.com.au

Walkout

Category: Money & settlement

Industry shorthand for the artist’s total performance earnings under the deal, including the applicable guarantee, percentage and bonuses without double-counting them. It is not necessarily cash paid at the venue: deposits, withholding and other agreed deductions affect the remaining payment. Walkout potential is a projection, not actual earnings.

Also called: Artist walkout; Walk out

References: Levitt Foundation

Wash

Category: Lighting & video

Broad, blended illumination covering an area rather than isolating one tightly defined subject. A wash can be made by several fixtures and is not tied to one light-source technology. A wash fixture describes a unit designed for this kind of coverage.

References: ETC

Weather action plan

Category: Safety & accessibility

A plan linking weather monitoring to defined responsibilities, decisions, communications, and protective actions. It accounts for the time needed to act, not only the forecast at showtime. A weather app or a single generic wind number is not a complete plan for an outdoor event.

Also called: Severe-weather plan

References: weather.gov · weather.gov

Wedge

Category: Audio

A loudspeaker placed near a performer, usually on the floor and angled upward, so they can hear a monitor mix. It serves the stage rather than the main audience. Wedges, sidefills, and in-ear systems are different ways of delivering monitoring.

Also called: Floor monitor

References: Shure

Will call

Category: Ticketing & box office

Collection of pre-arranged tickets or credentials at a specified box office or pickup point. The venue sets identification, authorization and opening-time rules. Will call is a delivery method, so the items waiting there may be purchased tickets or complimentary admissions.

Also called: Box-office collection; Collect at venue

References: seatgeekstadium.com

Wings

Category: Stage & rigging

The offstage areas at the sides of a performance space, commonly used for entrances, exits, waiting performers, and equipment. Wings are working areas rather than general storage. Their size and arrangement affect how scenery, access routes, and transitions can be planned.

References: Theatres Trust

Withholding tax

Category: Money & settlement

Tax a payer must retain from certain payments and remit to the relevant authority. Cross-border performer and athlete payments can trigger special rules. The amount withheld is not necessarily the recipient’s final tax liability; treaty claims, documentation and approved arrangements can affect treatment.

Also called: Tax withholding; Foreign-entertainer withholding

References: irs.gov

Work in progress

Category: Event formats

A presentation of material or a show that is still being developed. In comedy, it often lets an act test a longer set before a tour or festival run. Preview is a related label, but the level of polish and audience expectations vary by event.

Also called: WIP; Preview show

References: thetopsecretcomedyclub.co.uk

Working load limit

Category: Stage & rigging

The maximum load assigned to an item of lifting equipment for specified conditions of use. It is not the breaking load and does not automatically remain valid for every angle or configuration. System limits may be lower than the rating marked on an individual component.

Also called: WLL

References: cdn.asp.events

Workshop

Category: Event formats

A session built around active participation, practice, or problem-solving rather than only listening to a presentation. It may need tables, materials, facilitators, or group work. The label should describe what participants actually do, not simply rename a standard talk.

Wristband

Category: Safety & accessibility

A band worn on the wrist to show an admission or access entitlement. Different bands may indicate dates, zones, age checks, or other permissions, and some contain an electronic identifier. A wristband's color or appearance has meaning only within that event's system.

Also called: Event wristband

References: glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

X

XLR connector

Category: Audio

A family of robust, locking electrical connectors widely used in professional audio and other production systems. Three-pin XLR is common for balanced microphone and line-level audio, but other pin counts and signal types exist. Matching connector shapes alone does not prove that two devices or cables are compatible.

Also called: XLR

References: neutrik.com

Put the terms to work

A definition gets you started. These Ternwheel guides put the language into a working process.

• How tour settlements work: follow the money from ticket sales through the deal calculation and balance due.

• Tour settlement template: organize the numbers you need to reconcile a show.

• How to create a tour budget: turn routing, crew, travel and production assumptions into a plan.

• Tour manager checklist: keep the work before, during and after the show in view.

About this dictionary

These are original, plain-language explanations informed by venue documentation, professional bodies, equipment manufacturers, regulators and event-industry references. Source links sit beside relevant entries so you can check the context. Some terms are informal working language rather than standardized definitions.

Financial examples are illustrative and do not replace the deal you agreed. Legal, tax, insurance, accessibility and safety terms are educational summaries, not professional advice or operating instructions. In particular, a glossary cannot establish a safe capacity, approve a rigging design or replace a production’s emergency plan.

Published by Ternwheel for the people who make live events happen. Updated November 11, 2026.

Practical field guides

Go from a quick definition to the details you need for a working show. These guides include original examples, checks and sources.

• What Is a Day Sheet? A Show-Day Example

• What Is a Show Advance? A Practical Checklist

• What Is a Deal Memo in Live Entertainment?

• Guarantee vs Percentage Deal: How Artist Pay Changes

• What Is a Technical Rider? What to Include

• What Is a Hospitality Rider? A Practical Example

• What Is a Stage Plot? How to Make One

• What Is an Input List? A Small-Band Example

• Load-in and load-out: planning the two ends of show day

• What is a changeover? A practical plan between acts

• Soundcheck vs. line check: what each one confirms

• Run of show: building a usable live-event running order

• Concert guest lists: approvals, comps and the box-office handoff

• Per diem vs. meal buyout on tour

• Merchandise commission: calculate the venue cut clearly

• Ticket holds vs. production kills: what can go on sale?

• Gross vs. net box office: follow the money to the right subtotal

• Concert break-even: how many paid tickets cover the costs?

• Tour rooming lists: get the right people into the right rooms

• What is backline? Confirm the equipment before the show

Continue with the existing planning guides

• How tour settlements work

• How to create a tour budget

• How to build a tour itinerary

• Tour manager checklist