KP's Theatre Class - Stage Terms
Krista Price
Overview
This video delves into the specialized vocabulary of theater, explaining terms that can seem counterintuitive to newcomers. It clarifies directional terms like 'upstage' and 'downstage,' which relate to the audience's perspective rather than physical elevation. The explanation extends to how scenery and backdrops are managed using terms like 'flying in' and 'flying out,' originating from the 'fly loft' above the stage. The video also covers stage masking elements like 'borders' and 'legs' that hide backstage areas, the importance of 'sight lines' for audience visibility, and the distinction between 'stage right/left' (actor's perspective) and 'house right/left' (audience's perspective). Finally, it introduces backstage areas such as the 'green room' for actors and the 'scene shop' for set construction, concluding with the process of 'striking' the set after a performance.
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Chapters
- Theater has its own unique language.
- Terms can sometimes mean the opposite of their common usage.
- Understanding these terms is crucial for studying theater.
- Examples: 'down' means towards the audience, 'up' means away.
- Renaissance stages were raked for perspective.
- Moving towards the audience is 'downstage'.
- Moving away from the audience is 'upstage'.
- These terms relate to the audience's viewpoint, not physical height.
- Bringing scenery down from above is called 'flying in'.
- Taking scenery up and out of view is 'flying out'.
- This terminology avoids confusion with 'down' (towards audience) and 'up' (away from audience).
- The 'fly loft' above the stage houses the equipment for this.
- Entering a scene is referred to as being 'on'.
- Exiting a scene is referred to as being 'off'.
- This is distinct from 'in' and 'out' used for flying scenery.
- Review: In=down, Down=front, Out=up, Up=back, Off=out, On=in.
- The fly loft contains pipes (batons) for hanging scenery.
- A 'full fly house' can hide scenery completely.
- The 'grid' is the structure at the top of the fly loft.
- 'Electrics' are pipes for lights, others hang drapes.
- The 'Grand Drape' is the main curtain furthest downstage.
- 'Borders' (top curtains) and 'legs' (side curtains) mask backstage areas.
- The 'wings' are the off-stage areas between the legs.
- 'Sight lines' are imaginary lines showing what the audience can see.
- Masking ensures the audience doesn't see the 'inner workings' of the stage.
- Good sight lines are essential for audience experience.
- 'Stage right' and 'stage left' are from the actor's perspective.
- 'House right' and 'house left' are from the audience's perspective.
- House right corresponds to stage left, and house left to stage right.
- Audience seating areas include 'Orchestra' and 'Mezzanine' (balcony).
- The 'Green Room' is a waiting and relaxation area for actors.
- It's equipped with amenities like couches and monitors.
- The 'Scene Shop' is where sets are built, often with volunteer help.
- 'Strike' is the term for dismantling the set after the show.
Key takeaways
- Theater terminology often uses words with opposite meanings to common usage (e.g., upstage/downstage).
- 'Upstage' and 'downstage' refer to the audience's perspective, not physical height.
- Scenery is 'flown in' (lowered) and 'flown out' (raised) from the 'fly loft'.
- Masking elements like 'borders' and 'legs' hide backstage areas and improve 'sight lines'.
- Distinguish between 'stage right/left' (actor's view) and 'house right/left' (audience's view).
- The 'Green Room' is a backstage holding area for actors.
- The 'Scene Shop' is where sets are constructed.
- 'Strike' refers to the process of dismantling the set after a production.