The control booth, control room, lighting box, technical booth, or just booth to theatre

Theatrical technician

A theatrical technician, is a person who operates technical equipment and systems in the Performing arts and Entertainment industry...

 or television technicians is the area designated for the operation of technical equipment (lighting

Stage lighting

Modern stage lighting is a flexible tool in the production of theatre, dance, opera and other performance arts. Several different types of stage lighting instruments are used in the pursuit of the various principles or goals of lighting. Stage lighting has grown considerably in recent years...

 and sound

Sound reinforcement system

A sound reinforcement system is the combination of microphones, signal processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers that makes live or pre-recorded sounds louder and may also distribute those sounds to a larger or more distant audience...

), and is sometimes the location of the deputy stage manager's (DSM) station as well as the lighting controls and sound board

Mixing console

In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining , routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer...

. Often one or two followspot

Followspot

A followspot, sometimes known as a spot light, is a powerful stage lighting instrument which projects a bright beam of light onto a performance space. Followspots are controlled by a spotlight operator who follows actors around the stage...

s are located in the booth as well. Generally it is an enclosed space with a large sliding window with a good view of the stage. In a proscenium

Proscenium

A proscenium theatre is a theatre space whose primary feature is a large frame or arch , which is located at or near the front of the stage...

 theater, it is centered in the back of the house

Front of House

Front of house is primarily a theatrical term, referring to the portion of the building that is open to the public. In theatre and live music venues, it typically refers to the auditorium and foyer, as opposed to the stage and backstage areas...

. It might be on the ground floor, but is sometimes placed at the balcony level.

It is designed to allow lighting and sound operators to be Front of House, and be able to see the performance, without being in the auditorium itself. This means that they are free to talk to their colleagues in the booth, and also the Stage management

Stage management

Stage management is the practice of organizing and coordinating a theatrical production. It encompasses a variety of activities, including organizing the production and coordinating communications between various personnel...

 team and other crew members via the communications headset

Headset (telephone/computer)

A headset is headphones combined with a microphone, or one headphone with a microphone. Headsets provide the equivalent functionality of a telephone handset with hands-free operation. Headsets typically have only one speaker like a telephone, but also come with speakers for both ears...

. A booth that is sealed to the auditorium also allows for noisier equipment to be used, in particular computers and computer-based lighting desks

Lighting control console

A lighting control console is an electronic device used in theatrical lighting design to control multiple lights at once...

, which require built-in fans in order to work properly.

In some smaller theatres, and school halls control booths can sometimes be found above or at the side of the stage. This allows space at the back of the auditorium for more seating, or a better/larger foyer area.
In older theatres, this is because before the advent of thyristor dimming and compact electronic control desks, there was a limit on the distance that lighting controls could be placed away from the dimmers.

In some theatres, the control booth is actually divided into a suite of rooms, allowing each of the technical elements of a production its own customised space. This is especially likely to be the case where a theatre produces performances which require live sound mixing

Live sound mixing

Live sound mixing is the art of combining and processing a number of audio signals together to create a "mix" that the audience or performers at a live show hear. There can be a variety of different mixes required, depending on the performance requirements...

 rather than just pre-recorded effects, as a sound operator needs to be able to hear the sound in the auditorium, and so not be sealed from it as a lighting operator, followspot operator or projectionist might be. In some theatres with one or more balconies, the followspots may be given their own room above the highest balcony, with the lighting booth typically lower down at the rear of the stalls or the first balcony.

Contents

The booth contains a variety of equipment used in the production of theatrical performances. The booth almost always contains a light board, and occasionally contains a sound board

Mixing console

In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining , routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer...

. The light board operator

Light board operator

The light board operator is the electrician who operates the light board. Depending on the scale and type of production, the board op may be responsible for conventional or automated lighting fixtures, as well as practicals and, in some instances, controlling video as well.Sometimes, most commonly...

 (and sound board operator) are stationed here during performances. The booth almost always has several IC (intercom) headsets

Intercom

An intercom , talkback or doorphone is a stand-alone voice communications system for use within a building or small collection of buildings, functioning independently of the public telephone network. Intercoms are generally mounted permanently in buildings and vehicles...

, used for communication during performances. The booth may have a rack of dimmers for the lighting instruments in the theater, though these add noise and heat. The booth also usually contains a variety of other equipment, such as equalizers, audio equipment, video equipment, controls for house lighting, etc.