Clarity of defintions of lighting terms..

From the LSC maXim Operator Manual V3
11.1 OVERVIEW
"A stack is a recorded list of steps that are to be replayed in order. Each step consists of either a scene, a chase or a snapshot of the output (which is taken when that step is added). Stepping from one step to the next is a Dipless Crossfade and is usually executed manually but can be automatic. Each stack and each step can be named. Up to 500 steps may be recorded in each stack and up to 217(MP) 378(L), 594(XL), 810(XXL) separate stacks may be recorded into memory. If all the lighting cues in a "show" have been recorded into a "stack", then the entire show may be performed on the stack master by simply pressing the forward " > " button for each lighting cue."

In theatre, a Cue is a signal that initiates a change of any kind. A Lighting Cue is a change in lighting conditions, such as intensity or colour or an attribute in a moving light such as gobo or pan or it could be an effect such as a strobe or snow falling. Cues can be called by a stage manager, e.g. LX1 go, or by using cue lights or visual by the lighting operator watching the stage for a particular action.

From the LSC maXim Operator Manual V3
13.2 REHEARSED / PRE PROGRAMMED.
"In a rehearsed and pre programmed show, each lighting cue provides a total lighting look that has been recorded into the maXim using the [record scene] button. This type of show has usually had many rehearsals in which the lighting cues have been refined (edited). The lighting cues are the scenes and/or chases that you have recorded. The cues are often recorded in order into a stack for easy sequential playback on the stack master."

This paragraph in the maXim manual needs editing as the author has interchanged terms, which could confuse the reader. I suggest it should read, "the execution of each lighting cue will cause the output of the maXim to change, resulting in a different lighting look that has been recorded into the maXim using the Record Scene button.This type of show usually had many rehearsals in which the different lighting states have beem refined (edited). The lighting states used for the shows cues are the scenes and/or chases that you have recorded. These lighting states are often recorded in sequence into a stack for easy sequential playback on the stack master.

In chapter 13.5 the term cue is used correctly
13.5 COMBINING REHEARSED AND LIVE
"If you intend to fully program a show, it is still useful to create your “building block” scenes prior to the first rehearsal. You can then use them to quickly create looks on stage and then RECORD each look as a complete scene to be played back on cue. When you are running a fully programmed show, you can still use your “building block” scenes for any “ad lib” moments that might arise."

Na's description of scene is a good one: "a 'scene' refers to the lighting 'state' (ie. a bunch of lights are plotted as being on at various intensities, saved in the memory, and this 'scene' is faded in whilst the last one is faded out - the operator is then cued to change the scene."

From the LSC maXim Operator Manual V3
"8.1 OVERVIEW
A “recorded” SCENE is a snapshot of the maXims output, together with In and Out fade time settings and a descriptive name, that is stored in non volatile memory."

From the LSC maXim Operator Manual V3
"11.1 OVERVIEW
A stack is a recorded list of steps that are to be replayed in order.If all the lighting cues in a "show" have been recorded into a "stack", then the entire show may be performed on the stack master by simply pressing the forward " > " button for each lighting cue. "

Stacks are used for show playback to ensure that the correct lighting state occurs at the correct part of the show. Sometimes an acor may come out early or late for a cue or not turn up at all, so the lighting state may need to be stepped backwards or forwards, so you usually have Go or (forwards)> or Back or (backwards)< controlls.

In professional theatre you don't normally have to step outside the stack sequence, however in community theatre, occassionally an actor may skip several pages of dialogue or forgat to come on stage, so the lighting operator may have to select another place on the stack to go to. Not all lighting desks can do this easily

From the LSC maXim Operator Manual V3
"11.3.9 RANDOM STEP SELECTION To randomly jump to any step in a stack;
HOLD [stop/step] and rotate the EDIT Wheel. The display shows the selected step number. A + or – sign indicates that the selected step is higher or lower than the current step. The current step has no sign. When the [stop/step] button is released, the stack jumps to the selected step."

A Cue list is a list of cues in the sequence as they occur in the show. Lighting cues are prefixed as LX... and sound cues as FX... In community theatre, one usefull method is to write the cue numbers in the side marging of the script where the cue occurs and to put a tab on each page a cue occurs so you can skip forward to the next consecutive cue without missing any.

A Snapshot is the current output of the desk, going to the dimmers, so it is what is being seen on stage. This snapshot can be recored as a scene or as a step in a chase.

As David said "a chase is universally a sequence of states, usually played back at a regular rate." It can be recored so it plays back in what appears to be irregular steps, such as using a large number of profiles with fireworks gobos in them, so the fireworks appear to be fired at different intervals.

Some lighting desks have a chase rate or speed control to allow you to vary the timing on a chase as it is being output to the stage, to allow you to synchronise the chase to music, for example.

Hope that helps you understand the lighting terms.