Prompters

Prompters are aids used to provide lines or cues to performers. In live theatre, a prompter is a person placed in the prompt corner who can supply forgotten lines during a performance. The prompter uses a script, cue notes, and a quiet speaking voice to offer the missing line or a cue at the appropriate moment. The goal is to keep the performance flowing while allowing actors to maintain natural pacing and stage presence.

In broadcast and film, a teleprompter or autocue is a device that displays scrolling text for the presenter to read while appearing to make eye contact with the audience or camera. It typically consists of a monitor or tablet and a transparent or mirrored glass setup that sits in front of the lens, allowing lines to be read without looking down. A technician or software application controls the scrolling pace to synchronize with the speaker.

Modern prompting technology has diversified. While traditional theatre prompting relies on a human prompter and a prompt book, contemporary productions increasingly use discreet screens or tablet-based prompts. Teleprompters remain common in newsrooms and talk shows, and portable systems enable on-location shoots with adjustable speed, font size, and scrolling direction.

Prompters can reduce memory load and help maintain consistency, but they may also weaken eye contact with the audience or viewers and encourage overreliance. Effective use requires rehearsals, clear cues, proper placement, and alignment with blocking and camera framing.