What does it mean when a venue is described as "dark"?

Describing a venue as "dark" means that it is closed between productions. This term is commonly used in the theatre industry to indicate that there are no scheduled performances, and thus, the venue is not in operation for the time being. During these "dark" periods, the theatre may be preparing for upcoming shows, conducting maintenance, or engaging in other administrative tasks.

The other options involve situations that might occur during a performance or relate to lighting conditions, which does not align with the industry terminology describing a venue's operational status. For instance, a poorly lit stage or malfunctioning lights pertain to the quality of the performance itself, rather than the venue's availability. The presence or absence of an audience also speaks to the dynamic of a specific performance event, not the overall operational schedule of the venue.