Glossary

Ante Pro- (ante proscenium) refers to a position down stage of the Proscenium

Apron – section of stage that extends DS of the Proscenium.

ARENA- A stage where the audience is seated on all four sides of the acting area.

Backstage – part of theatre building behind the stage (acting area)

Batten – A horizontal pipe which may move as part of a counterweight system

Beam- Horizontal hanging position DS of the proscenium

BLACK BOX- A small flexible theatre space where the audience and actors are in close

proximity.

Boom – vertical hanging position for lighting

Border – flown scenic element used as horizontal masking. Often black

Box Set – Interior (usually) set built from flats that do not change position.

Center Line – imaginary line dividing the stage from US to DS centered on the Proscenium

opening.

Single Purchase Counterweight System – system used for lowering and raising scenery and

lighting equipment

Cue to Cue – rehearsal in which dialogue and action is reduced to technical cues.

Cyclorama – “Cyc” A neutral colored projection surface.

Downstage – area of stage nearest audience

Drop- An unframed piece of scenery, usually muslin

Flat – unit of vertical scenery.

Fly house – area above stage where flown scenery is kept.

FOH-Front of House. The area supervised by House Management. Consists of lobbies and

seating areas (House) and restrooms

Grid – metal frames in fly tower from which flying equipment is held

Ladder – framework in shape of ladder used as a lighting position. Usually vertical

Leg – flown cloth or flat providing vertical masking.

Mask – to hide from audience’s sight.

Masking – flats/cloths used to Mask.

Offstage – outside performance area.

Pit – area at front/beneath stage where musicians sit.

Pit Lift – mechanical lift that lowers to create pit.

Plaster line-An imaginary line running from SL to SR immediately up stage of the proscenium

Proscenium- The opening through which the audience views the stage area

Rake – An angled stage floor

Scrim – scenic cloth used for “vanishing” effects.

Sightlines – What is visible on stage as viewed from the house.

Soft goods- A general term for curtains or drops

Strike – to remove object or scenery from stage

Thrust Stage – A stage with the audience on three sides of the acting space.

Trap – a hole in the stage floor.

Upstage – the area furthest from audience.

Wings- The area to either side of the acting area Upstage of the proscenium.