Definition of cue at Dictionary.com An actor's guide to tears and crying on cue.

An action can be carried out at a specific time with a theatrical cue.It is associated with the film industry.They can be used for a lighting change or sound effect.

The stage manager will usually give a verbal signal over the headset system, a signal with a 'cue light' or a show control system.There are three types of signals.There is a warning, a stand-by, and a go.

Each stage manager has their own method for calling warning, standby and go.They can be heard and understood.Here is an example of a stage manager's call.

The department and cue number precede the words 'warning' and'standby'.The crew will execute the cue when the word 'go' is heard.It's important that crew members don't use the word 'go' in any way while speaking into the intercom system, and that the stage manager does the same.Stage managers and crew members use the phrase "the G word" or "G-O" for the word "go" when discussing cues.

If there are more than one cue in a row, the stage manager might say: "Warning lights 26 through 30."

The sound and board ops who are to take the cue are expected to respond so that the stage manager knows they have heard and understood them."Thank you, Sound, Standby Rail, or simply "Lights" is a typical response.

The stage manager can't see many types of cues.The technician who executed the cue usually responds with a taken note.Rail cue 11 was taken.

The operator may be asked to say when the cue is done.It will be said for this.

The warning is not always omitted.If a number of cues are close to each other and don't require preparation, this is common.In amateur or British theaters, a single warning is given about 30 seconds before the start of the show.

The numbers are generally starting from 1 and progressing in numbers.If an extra cue is added after the initial list is set, it may be divided by a letter.A sequence can go from 37 to 37.3 or from 51 to 51B.It is rare for two digits to be used, as some lighting boards only allow one digit.Show control systems allow multiple decimal places as well as digits since they allow an almost unlimited number.12.46.128.39 is an example.

Some systems have lighting, sound, and rail.Each cue has its own sequence.In this case, a stage manager would call for various lights.The cues are arranged so that what the stage manager calls is sequential in other systems.They might call the system Lights 1, Sound 2, and Lights 3.There are gaps in one discipline's cue stack.It is sometimes acceptable for a single cue to control more than one action.If the two are supposed to go at the same time, the stage manager may call "lights and sound 45".A lot of show control systems are capable of this sort of simultaneous cueing ability.