Spike (Stagecraft)

In stagecraft, a spike is a marking, usually made with a piece of tape, although some houses (theatres) use paint pens, put on the stage. This marking is used to show the correct position for set pieces, furniture, actors and other items which move during the course of a performance and are required to stop in a specific location. Usually coloured gaffer, masking or Electrical tape is used. Several companies make rolls of very thin gaffer's or masking tape marketed as "spike tape" specifically for this purpose. When used to indicate locations under dark conditions, phosphorescent tape (sometimes referred to as "glow tape") is used for practical and safety reasons. Performer spikes are generally only used when positioning needs to be precise, either for safety or performance reasons, such as lighting specials.... Mehr