Introduction To Theatre

Theatre HierarchyPositions

DefinitionsTypes of StagesStage Directions

Director

Stage Manager

Asst. Director

Actors

Technical Director

Publicity Manager

Box OfficeManager

HouseManager Publicists

Ushers

Set Designer

Set Crew Shift Crew

Lighting Designer

Lighting Crew

Sound Designer

Sound Crew

Costume Designer

Costume Crew

Properties Designer

Props Crew

Theatre HierarchyDefinitions

Director – responsible for all aspects of production – all final say goes to the direction

Stage Manager – responsible for the dissemination of all rehearsal notes to the proper people and during the run of production calls cues and keeps production running smoothly

Asst. Director – Assists director with all tasks during rehearsal period. Takes over in director’s absence

Technical Director – responsible for the successful and timely completion of all technical aspects.

Publicity Manager – responsible for all materials printed and distributed to advertise the upcoming production. Also responsible for the appearance of the house and selling tickets.

Theatre HierarchyDefinitions

Set Designer/Crew head – responsible for the design and the construction of the set

Lighting Designer/Crew head – responsible for the design and/or the implementation of the design. This includes hanging and focusing of all lights.

Sound Designer/Crew head – responsible for finding and amplifying of all sounds needed in production as well as the amplification of voices if necessary

Costume Designer/Crew head - responsible for the design of all costumes and the construction or procurement of necessary pieces.

Properties Designer/Crew head – responsible for the designer, construction, or procurement of all necessary props used in the show

Arena StageAudience sits on all sides

Thrust StageAudience sits on on three sides

Proscenium StageAudience sits one side

Arena StageStage Directions – Clock Method

12

3

6

9 C

Arena StageStage Directions – Compass Method

N

E

S

W

NW NE

SESW

C

Thrust StageStage Directions

C

USC

SR SL

USR USL

DSLDSCDSR

Proscenium StageStage Directions

C

USC

SR SL

USR USL

DSLDSCDSR

Theatre Terminology._________-The part of the stage floor extending beyond the proscenium arch into the house

_________ -The front of the stage, toward the audience

Apron

Downstage

______________ -an inner frame set upstage of the grand drape to narrow the proscenium

__________ - the space below the grid and above the stage floor where flown scenery is stored when not in use.

False Proscenium

Fly Loft

___________ - a framework of metal extending over the stage area and located at least 6 feet below the roof of the stage house. Used to support equipment for flying scenery.

___________ - traditional waiting room or reception room of a theatre, located near the stage and serves as a meeting place for guests or a place where actors wait when not on stage.

Grid

Green Room

____________ - where the audience sits____________ - the curtain, usually of heavy

velour which separates the stage from the audience.

____________ - elements that provide for a finished set, or are sometimes used by an actor.

House

Grand Drape

Properties

_____________ - furniture or objects on stage that serve no practical purpose

_____________ - all the furniture normally used by the actors

_____________ - small objects carried to and from the stage by the actors or handled by them while on stage.

_____________ - the opening in the wall between the stage and the auditorium

Set Props

Decorative Props

Hand Props

Proscenium

___________ - an imaginary line extending from any seat in the auditorium past the proscenium arch to any position on stage to determine how much of the stage will be visible from that point.

Sightline

____________ - an imaginary line extending across the proscenium arch. Commonly known as the path that the grand drape follows.

Plaster Line

_____________ - the part of the stage to the person’s right as he faces the audience

_____________ - the part of the stage to person’s left as he faces the audience

_____________ - a horizontal masking frame or drapery usually matching the tormentor or leg and used to mask the space above the set.

Stage Right

Stage Left

Teaser or Border

_____________ - vertical masking pieces of drapery.

_____________ - a curtain rigged to part in the center and open to each side of the stage.

_____________ - stage position towards the back of the stage, away from the audience

_____________ - offstage side areas_____________ - area where front of the house

position lighting is hanged and focused

Tormentor or leg

Traveler

Upstage

Wings

Catwalk