Scenary pt.1 Flashcards
apron
parts of the stage that extend past the proscenium arch and into the audience or seating area
Austrian curtain
a single panel curtain consisting of multiple rows of scallops or swags. It can be flown out or raised evenly by lift lines running through rings sewn onto the back of the curtain
batten/pipe
a long metal pipe suspended above the stage or audience from which lighting fixtures, scenery, and curtains are hung
bevel
an angle cut into a material along the length. In wood, parallel to the grain
border/teaser
a short but wide drape hung parallel to the proscenium above the stage spanning its width used to frame the stage, mask equipment, and hide scenery. Typically used in combination with legs/tormentors
center line
an imaginary reference line traveling from up to downstage that indicates the exact center of the stage
cross cutting
cutting lumber perpendicular to the woodgrain
cross-over
a hallway, catwalk, tunnel, or walking path designed to allow actors in a theater to move from wings on one side of a stage to wings on the other side without being seen by the audience
cut drop
a painted drop with sections cut away and replaced with netting, allowing the scenery behind it to be seen through the openings
cyclorama/cyc
a large white curtain used as a lighting surface to create the illusion of sky, open space, or great distance. Usually hung at the back of the stage
deluge curtain
a series of sprinklers around the proscenium arch which activates in a fire to prevent sparks to extinguish burning scenery and preventing the spread of the fire
fire curtain
a curtain made of fireproof material which descends automatically in a fire to separate the auditorium and stage in a theatre to prevent the spread of a fire
flammables cabinet
a metal cabinet for protecting flammable materials. It prevents a fire from escaping the cabinet and the contents from contributing to an external fire
floor & wall pockets
electrical boxes hidden in the floor and wall of a theater. They can hinge open to reveal plugs for lighting units
grand drape/house curtain/act curtain/main rag
the curtain closest to the audience which hangs upstage of the proscenium arch. Used to close the acting area from the audiences view when the acting area is not supposed to be seen
house
areas of the theater where the audience is seated, including aisles, orchestra pit, control booth, balconies, and boxes
lobby
a room used for public entry to the building from the outside
leg/tormentor
a narrow drape hung parallel to the proscenium at the sides of the stage to frame the sides of the acting space as well as to block sight into the wings. Typically used in pairs and used in combination with a border/teaser
miter
an angle cut into a material across the width. In wood, perpendicular to the grain
SDS
Safety data sheet
Chemicals enter the body through:
-inhalation
-skin contact -ingestion -injection
Proscenium Configuration
a “picture frame”
-most traditional presentation -can be very large
-utilize fly systems
-contain wings
-greater distance between
audience and stage
-less detail can be seen from
the audience
-audience is seated on one
side only
Thrust Configuration
-audience sits on three sides -audience is closer than in a proscenium configuration -can be combined with a proscenium arch
-modern version of a Greek stage -low-scale scenery
-good for a façade set
-affects acting style because audience is on three sides
Arena (in-the-round) Configuration
-audience sits on all four sides
-no big scenery, as it could block the view
-audience is close
-great for smaller theaters
-most intimate
-affects acting and directing due to actors’ backs being to someone at all times
-floor is an important scenic element
Traverse (tennis court) Configuration
-audience sits on two sides -scenery is limited, often on each end
-audience is close
-audience sees each other
Black Box Theaters
Open spaces which allow seating to be moved into various configurations
-these spaces are multi-functional -very versatile
-can be any configuration, or a hybrid
-usually intimate, as they tend to be smaller than proscenium settings
Found Space Theaters/Site-Specific Performance
Anywhere can be a performance space. All you really need is an actor and an audience.
examples include Pip’s Island and Sleep No More
