houselights

American  

[hous-lahyts] / ˈhaʊsˌlaɪts /

plural noun

1. the lamps providing illumination of the auditorium or seating area of a theater.

---

Etymology

Origin of houselights

First recorded in 1915–20; house + light ¹ + -s ³

Example Sentences

The start of the second act finds the houselights up for a voices-raised town meeting in which the cast members spread themselves around the auditorium to argue their case and hold the minister to account.

From New York Times

Note: “The King’s Man” contains just enough far-fetched-sounding facts to send you running straight for Wikipedia as soon as the houselights come up.

From Washington Post

I can't imagine what it feels like for you at this moment when the houselights are dim all over the world.

From Salon

At the beginning, she sits in the front of the audience and starts to vocalize as the houselights dim to black.

From New York Times

Gilbert could clearly see numerous Bancroft houselights glowing in the distance.

From Washington Times