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.