Proscenium Arch: the arch that creates a picture frame around the stage

Proscenium Stage: audience sits on one side of stage. Stage has a “picture frame” around it

Thrust Stage: audience sits on three sides of stage, stage thrusts out into the audience

Arena Stage/Theatre in the Round: audience surrounds the stage

American Seating: audience separated into three sections with four aisles

Continental Seating: one large block of seats with two aisles

Pit: the area where the band plays during a musical

Apron: area in front of the main drape

Main Drape: large black or red curtain furthest downstage

Legs: long black curtains that mask the backstage from the audience’s view

Teasers: short black curtains that mask the lights from the audience’s view

Masking: hiding something (props, scenery, stage combat, etc) from the audience

Batten: pipes on which the lights are hung

Mid-Traveler: curtain that opens and closes to spilt the stage

Traveler: any curtain that moves

Cyc: large white curtain upstage that lighting effects and colors can be projected on

Gel: the piece of plastic that creates a color when put in front of a light

Gel Frame/Holder: metal frame that holds the gel in front of a light

Gobo Frame/Holder: metal pattern that when put in a light projects the pattern on the stage

Front of House: lighting position directly above the audience

Catwalk: walkway used to get to the front of house lighting position

Clouds: panels above the audience that reflect sound

Producer: person or corporation who raises money for a production

Director: person who is responsible for the artistic interpretation of a play/musical

Stage Manager: person who is in charge of a show after the director leaves

House Manager: person in charge of the audience

House: everything that is not onstage or backstage

Box Office: the business office of the theatre. The window where the audience buys their tickets.

AUDIENCE