Theater Terms

Apron

A section of the stage that extends out into the auditorium (Hardwood)

-It serves as an extra acting area

Backstage

All the areas of the theater that are hidden from the audience's view,

-Dressing rooms, wings, and corridors behind the stage

Batten

A long pipe suspended horizontally above the stage

-Scenery, lights, and curtains are hung on it

Black Box

Flexible performance space with black walls and a flat floor

-Designed for audience on all 4 sides

Border

A short, wide curtain hung horizontally above the stage

-Hides equipment and scenery from the audience's view.

-Hides lights, curtains, and ropes in the flyspace

Cage

Locks up valuables

-Cables, microphones, speakers, etc

Catwalk

Narrow, high platform above the stage or audience used by tech crew

-Allows tech crew to maintain lighting instruments, microphones, and other equipment

Centerline

Imaginary line that runs from the front to the back of the stage

-Used by the cast and crew to mark the position of scenery, props, and actors

Cloud

Acoustical piece that helps focus out sound toward audience

Cyc

A large, seamless curtain at the back of the stage

-Used to create a neutral background for lighting

Downstage

The area of the stage that is closest to the audience

Drop

Anything that you hang or fly in

Flyspace

Large, open, and hidden area above the stage

-Where scenery, curtains, and lighting equipment are stored when not in use

Front of House

Part of performance venue open to the public (Audience)

Gallery

-A form of balcony or an elevated platform which projects from an interior wall

Green Room

-A private waiting area for performers to relax and prepare before and after their performance (Dressing Rooms)

Grid

The ironwork above the stage connected to the roof that holds lines up

House

The area where the audience sits to watch the performance

In

-Scenery or curtains being lowered onto the stage or into the audience's view from above

Leg

-The side curtains on a stage that mask the backstage area

Load In

When you bring in equipment needed for a show

Off

“Off Stage”

-any area of the stage that the audience cannot see

On

“On Stage”

-Being on the stage and visible to the audience

Out

Scenery moving up and out of view

Pipe

Lines (Electrical + none electrical)

Pit

Where the orchestra goes

Plaster Line

Horizontal line that divides apron and the upstage

Proscenium

The frame that separates the stage from the audience

Pull

Moving curtain or scenery by pulling a rope or wire

Rake

A stage that is built on a angle

Shell

Curved, hard surface designed to reflect sound towards an audience

Soft Goods

Anything “soft”

-Cloth-based materials like Curtains and drapes

Strike

Taking down and removing a show's set, props, costumes, lights, and sound equipment after its final performance

-Brings stage back to original condition

Tech Booth

An enclosed room located at the back of the audience seats

-Where technicians control the lights, sound, and other technical elements

Tower

Tall and allows for acoustic sound

Traveler

a type of curtain that opens and closes horizontally, moving along a track

-Curtains that “Travel”

Trip

To activate anything

Upstage

Away from the audience, towards the back of the stage

Winch

Used to safely lift, lower, or move lines

(Controls them)

Wing

Hidden space to the left or right of the stage

-Where actors wait for their cue to enter

-Where stage props and scenery are stored out of the audience's sight