Glossary
Common terms used in On Book Pro and theatrical production.
App-Specific Terms
A
Act
A major division of a play or musical. Acts typically contain multiple scenes.
AEA Compliance
Actors' Equity Association rules governing rehearsal hours and rest periods. See LORT and NEAT.
B
Blocking
The planned movement of actors on stage during a scene.
Blocking Event
An individual movement or action in the Blocking Tracker (e.g., "Cross to sofa").
Blocking Path
A visual line showing an actor's movement from one position to another.
Branded Types
TypeScript pattern ensuring type-safe ID handling (developer term).
Budget Dashboard
Production-wide financial overview with two tabs: Analytics (read-only view of estimated vs. actual costs, variance, and rental tracking) and Budget Setup (permission-gated configuration for project-wide budget allocations).
Budget Setup
Permission-gated tab in the Budget Dashboard where Production Managers can configure total costume and props budget allocations, set project currency, and view real-time spending comparisons.
C
Calibration
Setting real-world measurements in Set Builder so distances are accurate.
Cast Member
An actor or crew member in your production.
Character
A role in the show (e.g., "Hamlet", "Nurse").
Choreography Mode
A separate layer in the Blocking Tracker for dance and fight choreography.
Cloud Sync
Real-time synchronization of project data across devices via Firebase.
Conflict
When an actor is scheduled for overlapping rehearsals.
Costume Bible
Comprehensive printed document containing measurements, costume plot, character breakdown, and budget summary.
Costume Piece
An individual item of clothing or accessory worn by a character.
CRDT (Conflict-Free Replicated Data Type)
Technology enabling real-time collaborative editing without conflicts (e.g., Notes).
D
Deadline
A milestone date in the Scheduler (e.g., "Script Memorized").
Dresser
A crew member who assists actors with quick costume changes backstage.
F
Fitting
A session where costumes are tried on and adjusted for an actor.
Floorplan
A 2D overhead view of your stage layout (created in Set Builder).
L
LORT (League of Resident Theatres)
Union contract with specific rehearsal rules:
- 12-hour turnaround between calls
- 8-hour daily maximum
- 36-hour weekly rest period
M
Maintenance Tab
Shared component in Costumes and Props for tracking items needing repair or cleaning.
Measurement Profile
31-point anatomical sizing record for an actor, including body measurements and standard sizes.
Meeting
A production team event in the Scheduler (not visible to cast in filtered prints).
Met Deadline
A production deadline that was completed on or before its due date. Tracked in the Production Management module's analytics.
Missed Deadline
A production deadline that was completed after its due date. Tracked in the Production Management module's analytics.
N
NEAT (New England Area Theatres)
Union contract with specific rehearsal rules:
- 10-hour turnaround between calls
- 7-hour daily maximum
- 34-hour weekly rest period
O
Offline Mode
App functionality without internet. Changes sync when reconnected.
Overdue Deadline
A pending production deadline that has passed its due date but has not yet been marked complete. Highlighted with visual warnings in the Production Management module.
P
Performance
A show event in the Scheduler (visible to both production team and cast).
Ping
A notification sent to remind someone about an upcoming or overdue deadline. Available in the Production Management module.
Presence
Real-time indicator showing which collaborators are online.
Personnel Linking
Associating an authenticated user with their personnel (CastMember) record. Happens automatically via email match or manually through the Admin Portal.
Personnel Directory
The unified visual interface for browsing and managing all project members. Features Grid View (visual cards) and List View (spreadsheet-style), with category filtering and URL state persistence.
Primitive
Reusable UI component from the design system (developer term).
Production Dashboard
The analytics view in the Production Management module. Displays deadline metrics, department breakdowns, completion progress, and budget health indicators.
Production Management
A module for Production Managers and Stage Managers to track production deadlines, view analytics, and generate reports. Includes dashboard analytics, deadline management, and professional print output.
Profile Modal
Personal settings dialog accessed by clicking your avatar. Contains contact info, preferences, and logout.
Production Manager
Built-in role with full editing access including budget management. Has the EDIT_BUDGET permission to configure project-wide budget allocations.
Project
A single production with all its associated data.
Props
Physical objects used by actors during a performance.
Q
Quick Change
A rapid costume change during a performance, typically requiring dresser assistance. Changes under 30 seconds are flagged as high-urgency.
R
Rehearsal
A scheduled practice session (cast-only visibility in filtered prints).
Rehearsal Segment
A custom rehearsal block with specific character assignments.
Run Sheet
Master cue document listing all technical and blocking moments.
S
Scene
A subdivision of an act, typically defined by time/location change.
Self-Service Onboarding
A workflow where Stage Managers add personnel with minimal information (name, email), and the personnel complete their own profiles (phone, bio, headshot) when they sign in.
Set
Physical stage environment for a scene (designed in Set Builder).
Set Piece
A movable scenic element (e.g., furniture, platforms).
Share Link
A unique URL generated in the Admin Portal's Members page that allows new collaborators to request project access.
Soundboard
Grid of audio pads for instant playback during rehearsals.
Sound Cue
An audio effect triggered at a specific moment in the show.
Source
Where a prop or costume piece came from: Stock, Purchased, Rental, Borrowed, or Built.
T
Tech Rehearsal
Technical run-through (visible to both production team and cast).
Template
Reusable rehearsal pattern (e.g., "Standard Evening Rehearsal").
Tracking Column
Custom data field in Personnel (e.g., "Headshot Received", "Bio Submitted").
Turnaround Violation
When an actor doesn't get required rest between rehearsals (AEA rule).
W
Waveform Trimmer
Visual audio editor for setting start/end points of sound clips.
Theatrical Terms
C
Call Time
When actors are required to arrive.
Choreographer
Person responsible for staging dance/movement.
Costume Plot
List of costume changes by character and scene.
D
Director
Person responsible for overall artistic vision.
Downstage
Area of stage closest to the audience.
L
Light Cue
A lighting change triggered at a specific moment.
P
Production Team
Director, stage manager, designers, and technical staff.
S
Stage Left
Left side of stage from the actor's perspective (audience's right).
Stage Manager
Person responsible for running rehearsals and calling the show.
Stage Right
Right side of stage from the actor's perspective (audience's left).
U
Upstage
Area of stage farthest from the audience.
Don't see a term? Request an addition.