Stage Basics
The most common type of stage with audience seating on only one side.
What is proscenium?
The curtain closest to the audience, usually made of a plush fabric in a dark color. Also called the "Grand Drape."
What is the main drape?
Furniture and decorations which help establish the time and place of a play.
The area immediately in front of a stage where the musicians sit.
What is the orchestra pit?
Where the audience sits during a performance.
What is the house?
A stage that extends into the auditorium, with audience seating on three sides.
What is thrust?
metal or fireproof fabric across the front of a stage that would prevent fire from spreading between the house and backstage.
What is the fire curtain?
Where scenery and props are built.
A piece of flooring which can be installed over the orchestra pit.
What is the pit cover?
A stage or auditorium built on an incline to help audience members see the performance better.
What is raked?
A stage located in the middle of the auditorium, with audience seating on four sides.
What is an arena?
The curtain hung in the middle of a stage.
What is the mid-traveler?
Backstage rooms where actors put on makeup and change into costumes.
What is a dressing room?
The seating closest to the stage.
A booklet handed to audience members as tehy enter the house.
What is a playbill?
A stage in which audience seating can be located anywhere and changed to fit each performance.
The curtain hung at the back of the stage. Also called the "rear traveler."
What is the back-traveler?
What is the stage manager's booth?
A small area of seating near the stage, traditionally bought to "be seen."
What is the theater box?
Where ticket sales are handled.
What is the box office?
An example of a proscenium stage.
What is the Tennessee Theatre
Curtains hung horizontally above the stage to mask the lighting instruments.
What is a border?
An area where actors may wait while not on stage.
What is a green room?
The picture frame-like structure in front of a proscenium stage.
What is the proscenium arch?