1

Apron

The part of the stage in front of the proscenium (picture frame around the stage); the forward most portion of the stage. The apron of the Hawaii Theatre is on an elevator that can rise out of the orchestra pit.  When it is 10.5 feet below the stage (its lowest position) there is enough room for a full orchestra including the organ and a grand piano.

2

Backstage

The offstage area that is hidden from the audience.  This is where the magic happens.  Used for storing scenery, for actors preparing to make entrances, and for stage technicians running the show.

3

Batten

Horizontal pipe suspended over the stage, from which scenery, lights, and curtains are hung and then can be raised or lowered as needed.

4

Blocking

The specific staging of a play�s movements, ordinarily by the director.  �Blocking�Erefers to the precise indications of where actors are to move, moment by moment, during the performance.  Often this is worked out (�blocked out�E on paper by the director beforehand.

5

Border

A piece of flat scenery, often black velour but sometimes a flat, which is placed horizontally above the set, usually to mask the lighting instruments.  Often used with side wings, in which combination the scenery system is known as wing and border.

6

Border Lights

Strips of stage lights used for general illumination, blending and toning.

7

Call Board

Place near the theatre entrance where announcements of rehearsals, auditions, etc. are posted.  Actors sign in on the call board and notes can be left.

8

Counter-
weight System

A system of weights, pulleys, and rigging used to change scenery and move curtains and lights quickly, safely and easily.  A small person can lift scenery weighing several hundred pounds using this system.

9

Downstage

The part of the stage closest to the audience.  The term comes from the 1700s, when the stage was not flat, but was at an angle, so that the front part was literally below the back (or upstage) portion.

10

Flat

Canvas covered wooden frame used for scenery; a traditional piece of stage scenery that can be painted to look like wood, stone or a scene.

11

Fly

To raise a piece of scenery (or an actor) out of sight, by a system of ropes and or wires.  The area where scenery is stored above the stage suspended on pipes, is often called the �fly space.�E/span>

12

Follow Spot

High intensity spotlight used to highlight a person or area; on a stand that makes it movable during performance.

13

Footlights

Row of colored lights sunk in stage floor at downstage end of stage;  usually wired for three colors.

14

Gelatin (Gel)

Transparent colored medium used in front of stage lights to color the light.

15

Ghost Light

A single bare light, floor lamp that is the left on when the theatre is closed for the night.

16

Grid

Framework high over the stage from which are supported the curtain and scenery riggings.

17

House

The audience portion of the theatre building where you sit when you come to see a performance.  (You can click here to see the seating chart for the Hawaii Theatre Center.)
Other related terms:

Full House: All audience seats are full.

Front of House: The jobs in the theatre that have to do with the audience e.g., ushers, house manager, ticket sellers, etc.

House Lights: Auditorium lights used before and after the play and during the intermission.

House Out: In lighting, a direction to take the lights out in the audience portion of the theatre.

Open the House: Admit the audience.

18

Legs

Side curtains that adjust the width of the stage opening and mask the wing area stage right and stage left.

19

Loge

The front rows of the mezzanine of the theatre.

20

Parterre

Elevated side sections on the main floor; there are two -- one on either side of the house in the Hawaii Theatre.

21

Producer

In America, the person responsible for assembling the ingredients of a play production:  financing, staff, theatre, publicity, and management.

22

Proscenium

Permanent framed opening -- a sort of picture frame -- through which the audience sees the play or entertainment.  Click here to see a photograph of the proscenium at the Hawaii Theatre.

23

Scrim

Loose-weave curtain on batten used for �visions,�E�flashbacks,�Eor special effects.  You can�t see through it when lighted from the front; but it becomes transparent when lighted from the back.

24

Stage Left

A term referring to the area of the stage on the actor�s left as he/she faces the audience.

25

Stage Right

A term referring to the area of the stage on the actor�s right as he/she faces the audience.

26

Strike

To remove a prop or a piece of scenery; also, to take down the set and props after the show�s final performance.

27

Teaser

Overhead curtain that masks the first row of border lights; regulates the height of the proscenium.

28

Thespian

Actor, named for the first Greek actor, who was Thespis.

29

Upstage

(noun) In a proscenium theatre, that part of the stage farthest from the audience;  the rear of the stage.

(verb) To stand upstage of another actor.  Often considered rude, inasmuch as it forces the downstage actor to face upstage (and away from the audience) in order to look at the actor to whom he/she is supposed to be speaking.

30

Vaudeville

A stage variety show, with singing, dancing, comedy skits, and animal acts;  very popular in America from the late 1880s to the 1930s, when it lost out to the competition from movies, radio, and subsequently television.

31

Wings

In a proscenium theatre, the area offstage to the right or left of the acting area.