Any object which appears to do onstage the same job it would do in life, or any working apparatus (eg light switch or tap). An electrified prop.
In stage terminology, a property that works onstage the way it does in life. For example, a "practical" stove, in a stage setting, is one on which the characters can actually cook. A "nonpractical" stove, by contrast, is something that only looks like a stove (and may in fact be a stove without insides).
concerned with actual use or practice; "he is a very practical person"; "the idea had no practical application"; "a practical knowledge of Japanese"; "woodworking is a practical art"
guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory; "a hardheaded appraisal of our position"; "a hard-nosed labor leader"; "completely practical in his approach to business"; "not ideology but pragmatic politics"
being actually such in almost every respect; "a practical failure"; "the once elegant temple lay in virtual ruin"
A term that refers to something on the set or location that actually works, such as a kitchen sink, a desk lamp, or a television, as opposed to a prop that is nonfunctioning and that is used only as set dressing.
Adjective used to describe properties or scenery which have to work as in real life when used; e.g. a practical ceiling light must actually light up when switched on by an actor.
A prop that will actually be used in a scene, as opposed to those that are meant to be seen only. For example, a light that can be switched on or off by an actor.
A light that is actually seen in the shot. Commonly used in lamps found on an indoor set, practicals can be bought color matched if there is more than one in the shot.
1: Involving experience or actual use rather than theory. 2: Sensible, useful and effective. See effective, field test, usable and users.