stage pocket: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Professional
Quick answer
What does “stage pocket” mean?
A small, rectangular opening built into a stage floor, providing access to electrical power for lighting and equipment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, rectangular opening built into a stage floor, providing access to electrical power for lighting and equipment.
In theater and performing arts, a flush-mounted access point in a stage surface containing electrical outlets (or other utility connections like audio or data) for temporarily plugging in equipment used during a production.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is identical and standard in both varieties. US usage may more frequently use the synonymous term 'floor pocket'.
Connotations
Purely technical; no regional connotations.
Frequency
Equally infrequent in general language, but common professional jargon in theater contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “stage pocket” in a Sentence
[Verb] the stage pocket (e.g., install, open, cover)[Adjective] stage pocket (e.g., electrical, central, covered)run [Noun] to the stage pocket (e.g., cable, power)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in technical theatre textbooks, stagecraft, and scenography courses.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in theatre production, lighting design, and stage management for describing infrastructure.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stage pocket”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stage pocket”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stage pocket”
- Confusing it with a 'trap door' (which is for actors/objects, not cables).
- Using 'stage pocket' to refer to a backstage storage area.
- Assuming it is a metaphor for something else.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A trap door is a larger opening for actors or scenery to pass through the stage. A stage pocket is a smaller, flush opening designed specifically for electrical or data cables.
Primarily lighting technicians, sound engineers, and stage crew members who need to connect portable equipment to the theatre's permanent electrical infrastructure.
While traditionally for power, modern stage pockets can also contain audio, video, or network data connections, making them multi-purpose utility access points.
The term likely originates from the idea of a small, recessed container or holder (like a pocket in clothing) built into the stage floor to 'hold' the electrical connections.
A small, rectangular opening built into a stage floor, providing access to electrical power for lighting and equipment.
Stage pocket is usually technical/professional in register.
Stage pocket: in British English it is pronounced /steɪdʒ ˈpɒk.ɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /steɪdʒ ˈpɑː.kɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the stage floor having secret 'pockets' you can reach into to plug things in, just like pockets in clothing hold items.
Conceptual Metaphor
A STAGE IS A GARMENT (with pockets for utilities).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a stage pocket?