Backdrop – a painted curtain that forms part of the scenery. Batten – a long pipe above the stage used to hang lights or scenery. Cyclorama (Cyc) – a curtain or wall that covers the back/sides of the stage. House – the audience seating area. Auditorium – another word for the house where the audience sits. Raked Stage – a stage that is slanted up toward the back. Downstage – the part of the stage closest to the audience. Upstage – the part of the stage farthest from the audience. Fourth Wall – the imaginary wall between actors and audience. Onstage – any place the audience can see. Offstage – any place the audience cannot see. Sightlines – what the audience can or cannot see from their seats. Stage Left – the actor’s left side when facing the audience. Stage Right – the actor’s right side when facing the audience. Backstage – the area behind the scenery, not visible to the audience. Wings – the sides of the stage, just offstage left and right. Apron – the part of the stage that extends in front of the curtain. Proscenium Stage – traditional stage with an arch, audience on one side. Arena Stage – stage in the center, audience on all sides. Thrust Stage – stage that juts into the audience, seating on three sides. Flexible Stage / Black Box – a space that can be arranged in many ways. Found Space – a location not built for theatre but used as one. Audience Perspective – stage directions given from the actor’s point of view. Audience Sits on 1 Side – proscenium stage. Audience Sits on 3 Sides – thrust stage. Audience Sits on 4/All Sides – arena stage. Stage Directions – instructions for actor movement on stage. Blocking – planned movement on stage. Cross – moving from one part of the stage to another. Counter / Counter Cross – moving opposite another actor’s cross. Upstage Left – farthest from audience, actor’s left. Upstage Center – farthest from audience, center. Upstage Right – farthest from audience, actor’s right. Center Stage – the middle of the stage. Downstage Left – closest to audience, actor’s left. Downstage Center – closest to audience, center. Downstage Right – closest to audience, actor’s right. Full Front – actor faces the audience fully. ¼ Left – actor turns slightly left toward another actor, still open. ¼ Right – actor turns slightly right, still open. Left Profile – actor faces directly left. Right Profile – actor faces directly right. Cheat – turning slightly toward the audience to stay visible. ¾ Left – actor turned mostly left, facing upstage. ¾ Right – actor turned mostly right, facing upstage. Full Back – actor faces completely away from audience. Open Position – body turned toward audience. Closed Position – body turned away from audience. Teasers – short curtains above the stage that hide lights. Legs – tall curtains on the sides to mask wings. Grand Drape – the main front curtain. Costumes – clothing worn by actors in a play. Set – scenery and furniture on stage. Makeup – cosmetics used to enhance or change an actor’s look. Sound – effects, music, or microphones used in a show. Props – objects actors handle on stage.