Stage Vocabulary

Front

curtain that masks the acting area from the audience

Back

act curtain

Front

narrow acting area between the front edge of the stage and the front curtain

Back

apron

Front

opposite the proscenium opening; it can be used as a background for exterior sets

Back

back wall

Front

long pipes or poles from which curtains, lights, or flats are hung

Back

battens

Front

background curtain covering stage back and sides

Back

cyclorama or cyc

Front

a canvas or muslin curtain, usually painted, that forms part of the scenery

Back

drop or backdrop

Front

area above the stage where scenery is hung out of view

Back

flies

Front

narrow platform about halfway up the backstage side wall from which the lines for flying scenery are worked

Back

fly gallery

Front

framework of beams above the stage that supports riggings for flying scenery

Back

gridiron or grid

Front

canvas to cover the floor of the acting area that may be painted to resemble bricks, stones, etc.

Back

ground cloth