Theatre Study Guide (Exam 1)

Apron

The apron is a section of the stage floor which projects towards or into the auditorium. In proscenium theatres, it's the part of the stage in front of the house tabs, or in front of the proscenium arch, above the orchestra pit.

Backstage

The part of the stage and theatre which is out of the sight of the audience. The service areas of the theatre, behind, beside or underneath the stage. Also refers to the personnel who work in the technical departments that work to create the performance, alongside the actors and musicians.

Wings

The out of view areas to the sides of the acting area. The wings are best identified by their position on stage (e.g. "Clive exits through the downstage left wing") but they can be identified by number if there are too many exits, with the downstage wing starting as 1, with stage left and right added to identify the side

Upstage

UPSTAGE
The part of the stage furthest from the audience. It's called Upstage because on a raked stage the stage slopes down towards the audience to improve sightlines. The furthest from the audience is literally higher due to the slope of the stage, so moving from close to the audience involves walking up the raked stage, towards 'Upstage'.  US = Upstage, USC = Upstage Centre. USL = Upstage Left. USR = Upstage Right

Downstage

DOWNSTAGE
The part of the stage nearest to the audience. It's called Downstage because it's the lowest part of a raked stage. Downstage Left (DSL), Downstage Centre (DSC) and Downstage Right (DSR) are commonly used for the areas towards the front of the stage.

Stage Left/ Right

Left/ Right as seen from the Actor's point of view on stage, when they are facing the auditorium.

Front of House

Every part of the theatre in front of the proscenium arch. Includes foyer areas open to the general public.

House

The audience - The count of how many are in the audience is known as the House Count, and may be different from tickets sold, as some people may not attend. 
2) The auditorium (eg "The house is now open, please do not cross the stage")

Green Room

A backstage room where the actors wait before they go onstage.

Grid

A supporting structure that hangs near the ceiling, above the stage or house.

Cyclorama

A curved, plain cloth or plastered wall filling the rear of the stage or TV studio. Often used as a sky backing to a traditional set, or as the main backing for a dance piece etc

Catwalk

A narrow metal bridge or walkway that’s usually very close to the ceiling and above the stage and audience.

Crossover Space

The area behind the set that actors and technicians use to move from stage left to right without being seen by the audience.

Booth

The area or room from where technicians control the lights and sound for a show. It lets technicians see the performance without being in the theater.

Procesnium Arch

The opening in the wall which stands between stage and auditorium in some theatres; the picture frame through which the audience sees the play. The "fourth wall." Often shortened to Proscenium or Pros Arch.

Props

All items large and small which cannot be classified as scenery, electrics, or wardrobe, and which actors interact with. Props directly handled by actors are known as HAND PROPS, props which are kept in an actors' costume are known as PERSONAL PROPS.

Set

The physical environment in which the actors perform. Already on the stage at the top of the show (it may change)

Procesnium Stage

This is the most common orientation of a theatre. The stage is framed like a picture with the stage on one side opposite the audience.

Thrust Stage

A stage into the audience, with the audience on three sides. While an actor may have his or her back to one side of the audience at times, directors work to balance face time, action, etc.

Arena Stage

A central stage surrounded by audiences on all sides

Flexible Theatre or Black Box

In a flexible theatre, the seating is not predetermined but can chance from production to production.