Sight Lines The clear line where an audience member can see the stage. Good sight lines allow the audience to see all more most of the stage no matter where they sit. Actors must be aware of sight lines. If you cross into one, YOU ARE ON STAGE AND IN CHARACTER!

Flats Rectangular, flat units painted with scenic elements that can stand upright on their own. Broadway flats are often 4’x8’ and are covered in a fabric called muslin. This fabric is first painted in a glue/water mixture called sizing. Hollywood flats are different sizes, thicker, and usually solid wood.

Curtains The grand drape is the main curtain at the front of the stage. Tormenters and legs run vertically along the edge of the stage and help create the proscenium. Teasers and borders run horizontally along the top edge of the stage and hide lighting equipment. Masking curtains are used to create a sight line or hide a piece of scenery. The backdrop is a curtain with scenic elements in the rear.

Cyclorama A white screen that covers the rear of the stage. Lighting and projections can be used on it for effect. Called a ‘cyc’ for short.

Truck Scenic elements that roll on and off stage are on rolling platforms called trucks. Trucks can be manually moved, or mechanical. Flats can be attached to trucks as well.

Fly Theatres with high vertical spaces have a fly system, where set pieces can lowered vertically from the ceiling. A system of pulleys controls the fly. Curtains are often controlled by the fly. For some productions, actors can be attached to a fly system, such as Peter Pan or Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark.

Forced Perspective Optical illusion used in scenery to make it look like the stage is deeper and the scene goes back farther. Objects are painted smaller and higher the farther away they are from the audience.