houselights

Audience area lighting

Houselights are the main lights illuminating the audience seating area in a theater, concert hall, or auditorium.

They're dimmed or turned off when a performance begins and raised when it ends or during intermission: The houselights went down and the curtain rose.

The term distinguishes audience lighting from stage lighting.

theater

dimming

Decreasing in brightness

intermissionScheduled performance pause
curtainFabric hung for privacy
auditoriumRoom for spectators

stage · blackout · cue · proscenium · orchestra · mezzanine · balcony · stalls · usher · patrons

ambiance

glow

Steady, soft light

warmthHeat you feel
dimLow in light
softYielding to touch

cozy · subdued · gentle · mood · atmosphere · flicker · luminous · intimate · hushed · golden

technical

dimmer

Light intensity regulator

switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
circuitClosed electrical pathway
panelDistinct flat section

fixture · bulb · wattage · LED · incandescent · preset

Opposites

theatrical lighting function

houselightsstage lights

Theater performance illumination

spotlights · stage lighting · footlights · gobos · klieg lights

illumination state

houselightsdarkness

Total absence of light

blackout · dimout

Family

house, lights, light, highlight, lighten, household, daylight, lighting, lighter

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G