Stage Terminology Mrs. Bone Theatre 1

Parts of the stage Proscenium: The arch or frame enclosing the visible stage. The opening between the stage and the auditorium. Acting Area: The portion of the stage used by actors during the play. Apron: The section of the stage in front of the curtain. Backstage: Dressing rooms, prop rooms, shops, any area not seen by the audience. Wings: Areas off stage left and right. Green Room: The backstage lounge or waiting room for actors. Flies: The area above the stage where scenery is hung.

Parts of the Auditorium Auditorium: Where the audience sits Rake: The slant of the auditorium, stage, or set to accommodate for sight lines. House: What theatre personnel call the auditorium.

Curtains Grand Drape: The front curtain framing the proscenium. Opens and closes the play. Act Curtain: The curtain above the proscenium that opens an act or scene. Travelers: A curtain that opens left to right on a pulley system. Masking: Curtains, flats, or drops that hide openings or backstage areas. Legs: Curtains hung left and right to mask the backstage area/wings. Teasers: Short curtain hung across the stage above the acting area to mask the overhead lights from the audience. Curtain Line: The imaginary line the curtain touches when closed.

Scenic Vocabulary Backdrop: A large piece of cloth on which scenery is painted. Batten: A pipe where scenery and lights are hung. Fly: To raise or lower scenery Flat: A wooden structure covered with cloth or thin wood used as the basic structure of a set. Platform: A wooden framed structure covered with a heavy piece of plywood used as a basic set structure to create levels. Wagon: Low platforms on wheels Floor plan: A drawing of the overhead view of the stage showing walls, furniture, etc.

Director/Stage Manager Terms Places: To take positions. Lights: Indication to start the scene or end the scene in rehearsal, where a lighting cue will be in performance. “Line”: Actors will call line in a rehearsal to ask for a prompt. Call: The time an actor is to be at rehearsal, costume fitting, or any other outside rehearsal or fitting. Table Session: Read through of the play, designs and themes are presented. Blocking Rehearsal: Actors learn where to move, and about characters. Run-Through: Actors run show (rehearse) memorized. Dress and Technical Rehearsal: Rehearse adding all technical elements, costumes, sound, lights, props, and scenery.