1. A tool used to strike arcs and draw circles of varied sizes. Generally the tool is used with a marking medium (pen/pencil/chalk) on one end and a point on the other. The point rests on the center point of the arc circle you wish to draw. The compass is then rotated around the center point's axis and in doing so the drawing medium creates the arc or circle. A compass can also be used with a scribe for precise work. See also trammel points.
2. A device for determining magnetic North, and by extension, South, East, and West. Relatable to theatre in that, in a venue with no permanent stage such as an arena or black box theatre, true compass points are often used as directional reference (a practice which tends to annoy most road crews).
2. A device for determining magnetic North, and by extension, South, East, and West. Relatable to theatre in that, in a venue with no permanent stage such as an arena or black box theatre, true compass points are often used as directional reference (a practice which tends to annoy most road crews).
