Ch 3 Theatre

a stage configuration in which the spectators watch the action through a rectangular opening (the proscenium arch) that resembles a picture frame

a stage projecting into, and surrounded on threes sides by, the audience

a stage completely surrounded by the audience

a visual-distortion technique that increases the apparent depth of an object

a stage floor that is higher at the back than the front

scenery designed to visually support a generalized location (garden, city street, palace, interior) rather than a specific one; commonly used from the Renaissance through the early twentieth century and still in use today in some theatres

a large expanse of cloth, usually muslin or canvas, on which something (a landscape, sky, street, room) is painted

in scenic terms, either tall, cloth-covered frames or narrow, unframed drops placed on either side of the stage, parallel with the proscenium arch, to prevent the audience from seeing backstage; were usually painted

the flat extension of the stage floor that projects from the proscenium arch toward the audience

wide, short, framed or unframed cloth drops suspended to prevent the audience from seeing above the stage; normally match the decorative treatment of the wings and drops in wing and drop sets

a small elevator used to shift small pieces of scenery, or an actor, from the basement underneath the stage to the stage or vice versa. Usually no longer than 4x4 or 4x6 feet. Also known as a disappearance trap.

a large elevator used to shift large scenic elements or whole sets between the area beneath the stage and the stage

a large, circular disk that pivots on its central axis. Built into the stage floor as part of the theatre's permanent equipment

a revolving stage with, usually, two sections, one rotating inside the other

any lights hung above the stage, behind the borders (horizontal masking pieces). In this context, the borderlights were striplights--long, narrow troughlike fixtures usually containing eight to twelve individual lamps

lights hung on either side of the stage, usually concealed by wings (vertical masking pieces). In this context the winglights were striplights--long, narrow, troughlike fixtures usually containing eight to twelve individual lamps