GCSE Drama Design and technical theatre terminology - Set

Mood and Atmosphere

The tone or feeling of the play, often created by the music, setting, or lighting.

Construction Materials

Any materials used to build or make the set and any props.

Colour

The physical appearance through hue and pigmentation.

Scale

The relationship between the real size of something and its size on a model or stage.

Shape

The particular physical form or appearance of something, an arrangement that is formed by joining objects together in a particular way.

Texture

The quality of something that can be decided by touch. The degree to which something is rough or smooth or soft or hard.

Location

A particular place or position.

Prop

Any moveable item used on the set of a play or handled by an actor.

Trimming

The draperies, curtains and other items included in a set for aesthetic reasons. Also can mean to adjust a drop or border so that it hangs the correct distance from the stage floor.

Backdrop

A large painted cloth hung as part of the scenery.

Cyclorama

Plain cloth or plastered wall filling the rear of the stage. It used to create a sense of wide-open space/sky, normally by front lighting it using specific effects. The term is often loosely applied to a blue skycloth. It may be curved at the ends.

Drapes

Stage curtains

Gauze

See-through material which cannot be seen through when lit from the front, but can be seen through when lit from behind.

Flat

A lightweight timber frame covered with scenic canvas.

Fly

To raise or lower scenery and equipment above the performing area by means of a rigging system.

Rigging

The battens, lines/rope and associated equipment required for the vertical movement of scenery.

Furnishings

Furniture, fittings, and other decorative accessories such as curtains and carpets.

Set dressing

Decorative props (some practical) and furnishings added to a stage setting.

Trucks

Pieces of scenery on wheels for ease of movement.

Revolve

A turntable built into the stage floor on which scenery can be set and driven into view.

Smoke machine

An electrically powered unit which produces clouds of white non-toxic fog to produce an atmospheric haze.

Wings

Curtains at the side of a performance space used as an entrance and to conceal props and scenery from the audience

Entrance/Exit

A part of the set through which actors can walk onto/off the stage.

Masking

An actor is not visible to the audience because of another actor or some set.