Theatre Terminology and Stagecraft Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining stage positions, theater spaces, curtains, fly systems, lighting instruments, and crew roles from lecture notes.

UpStage

The area of the performance area behind the actor (when in proscenium or thrust).

DownStage

The area of the performance area in front of the actor (when in proscenium or thrust).

Raked

A natural tilt of the stage towards the audience, used historically to create false-perspective. Also where the terms UpStage and DownStage originated, because of the actual elevation of the actor.

Stage Right/Left

The area of the performance area to the right or left of the actor (when in proscenium or thrust).

Center Stage

The center of the performance area.

Blocking

The description and noting of movement onstage.

Proscenium

(from the Greek, proskenion) the opening archway of the theater, such as Weber stage or a typical movie theater.

Thrust

A piece of the downstage area which 'thrusts' out into the audience, creating additional perspective to the left and right, such as a fashion show runway.

In-the-Round

Also described as an arena, an stage with audience surround the performance area.

Alley-Way

Also described as a tennis court or a traverse stage, an stage with audience on two sides of the performance area.

Environmental

Also described as site-specific, a performance area found in nature or naturally occurring (i.e. a park, a courtroom drama IN a courtroom)

Lobby

The area where the audience arrives and waits before, after, and during a performance.

House

The seating area for the audience.

Audience Left/Right

The area of the performance area to the right or left of the audience (when in proscenium or thrust).

Deck

The stage level.

Vomitorium

Also vom, an exit or entrance for actors and audience, usually located under a row of seating.

Sight Line

The natural pathway for viewing a show, used to described obstructions or 'a bad seat.'

Offstage

The non-performance area of a stage, usually housing crew and equipment.

Wing

The offstage space to the left and right of a proscenium/thrust theatre.

Backstage

The offstage space upstage or behind scenery.

Leg

A vertically hanging curtain denoting the offstage portions of the stage to the left and right.

Border

A horizontally hanging curtain above the the stage.

Traveler

A large, moving curtain located upstage, which can be closed or opened to create different looks.

Main Rag

The large curtain at the downstage-most point of the stage, usually under the proscenium arch.

Plaster Line

The invisible line noting the upstage point of the proscenium arch.

Center Line

The invisible line that splits the stage into left and right halves.

Zero-Zero

Where the Plaster and Center Lines intersect.

Cyc

The large, usually white, curtain at the upstage-most point of the stage. Used for sky's, color washes, and projections.

Fly Rail

The machinery that controls the objects that hang and descend from above the stage.

Batten

The pipes that 'fly in' using the fly rail, usually housing lighting and curtains, but occasionally scenery.

Catwalk

The working areas above the theatre that technicians can use to operate and set up theatre equipment.

Grid

The area above the stage that provides structural support for the fly system.

Stage Weight

The large, heavy blocks that are used in the fly system as a means of counterweight.

Counterweight

The method of balancing a load in a suspension system to offset gravity.

Instrument

A piece of lighting equipment.

Spotlight

A specific piece of lighting equipment that precisely lights an actor or object. Can be moving or stationary.

Loading Rail

The location where an operator can add or remove stageweights from the fly system.

Ellipsoidal

A type of lighting instrument that uses a concave mirror and lens to focus light.

Technical Director

The individual in charge of the technical needs of a production.

Asst. Technical Director

The individual who assists the technical director in their duties.

Properties Master

The individual responsible for finding, creating, or altering the smaller hand-held and used items for a production.

Carpenter

The individual who builds scenery and objects for the production. Usually works with wood, but can often include plastic, steel, glass, or foam.

Electrician

The individual who hangs lighting and provides electrical power for the lighting needs of a production.

Sound Engineer

The individual who is responsible for balancing and seeing to the sound needs of a production.

Stage Manager

The individual who 'calls' a show, ensuring people arrive on time, perform their duties, and the execution of cues happens as planned.

Asst. Stage Manager

The assistant to the stage manager, usually placed backstage to help the Stage Manager from afar.

Run Crew

The individuals responsible for placing and moving scenery, props, or costumes during the show (Stagecraft class members!!)