Question | Answer |
BACKSTAGE1 | Literally, the area beyond the acting area toward the rear wall. Also used to describe all areas related to, but not on, the stage, including dressing rooms, technical areas, etc.1
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CENTER LINE2 | Imaginary line running down the stage through the exact center of the proscenium opening. Marked as CL on stage plans. Normally marked on the stage floor and used as a reference when marking out or assembling a set.2
| DOWNSTAGE3 | 1)The part of the stage nearest to the audience (the lowest part of a raked stage).2)A movement towards the audience (in a proscenium theater).3
| OFFSTAGE4 | A movement towards the nearest side of the stage from the center.4
| ONSTAGE5 | A movement towards the center of the stage from the sides.5
| OPEN THE HOUSE6 | Clearance given to FOH staff by stage management that the stage is set and the audience can begin to take their seats. When this clearance is given, the backstage call "The House is now open, please do not cross the stage" is made.6
| PROSCENIUM7 | The opening in the wall which stands between stage and auditorium in some theaters; the picture frame through which the audience sees the play. The "fourth wall".7
| WINGS8 | 1)The out of view areas to the sides of the acting area. 2)Scenery standing where the acting area joins these technical areas.8
| PLANVIEW9 | A scale drawing showing a piece of scenery, lighting layout etc from above. Lighting plans are usually drawn onto the theater's groundplan9
| HOUSE10 | 1)The audience 2)The auditorium10
| UPSTAGE11 | opposite of downstage11
| ORCHESTRA PIT12 | where compositions are played during a musical12
| PLASTER LINE13 | imaginary line between apron and downstage13
| STAGE RIGHT14 | actors right14
| STAGE LEFT15 | actors left15
| CENTER STAGE16 | center of the stage16
| SIGHT LINES17 | part of the stage where the audience cannot see the action17 |