AC: short for alternating current. Electrical current that ‘alternates’ direction in the cable.

The
electrical power standard in Australia.

ACOUSTICS: The science of sound, including the factors and characteristics of a room or space that
determine the sound capabilities and properties of that room.

ACT: The subdivision between sections of a play. A short play is a “One Act-er”, while a play with an
interval has Two Acts.

ACT CHANGE: Changing the scenery onstage during an interval.

ACTING AREA: The area of the stage setting within which the actor performs. It may include areas off
the normal stage.

ACTION: Physical movement on stage.

ACTOR: Person who acts or performs as part of a dramatised presentation.

ACTOR’S LEFT/RIGHT: Stage left or stage right from the point of view of the actor facing the
audience.

AD LIB: Improvisation when another actors fails to enter or misses a line.

ADAPTOR: Connector which allows two or more electrical devices to be connected to a single power
outlet. The connection is normally parallel, that is, each device is fed the same voltage, but the
current is divided between them. Sometimes known as a ‘SPLITTER’, or ‘TWOFER’. A three-way
splitter is known as a ‘Threefer’. A series splitter is also available where a voltage is shared equally
between two loads.

AISLE: A passage through seating.

AMATEUR: Non-professional.