
Parts of the Stage
Introduction
What is stage left? How do you tell upstage from downstage? And what is a fly space? This guide will define the parts of the stage, from stage zones to the technology used in productions.
Terminology
- Apron: The usually curved area of the stage, in front of the proscenium, closest to the audience.
- Backdrop: The area of the theatre not accessible or visible to the audience.
- Backstage/Offstage: Usually the entire stage area not visible to the audience.
- Batten: A type of bar that hangs above the stage from which curtains, backdrops, or other set decoration hang.
- Catwalk: Narrow paths above the stage and/or audience where technicians can hang lights, create special effects, or use spotlights.
- Center: Center of the stage.
- Cyclorama: A large, usually white, curtain that is lit to create setting and masks the back of the stage behind the set.
- Downstage: The area of the stage that is the closest to the audience.
- Electric: A type of bar that hangs above the stage with electrical outlets for lighting instruments.
- Fly Loft/Space: The area above the stage where curtains and set pieces are stored and hidden during a production.
- Fourth Wall: The imaginary wall between an audience and actors. To “break the fourth wall” means that actors acknowledge that the audience is there.
- Grand Drape/Main Drape: The front, often decorative, curtain of a stage.
- House: The area of the theatre in which the audience sits.
- Legs: Narrow curtains in the wings to mask the backstage areas.
- Lip: The very edge of the stage.
- Proscenium: An arched opening through which the audience sees the stage. Also a style of theater with the audience seated predominantly in front of the stage.
- Orchestra Pit: The space immediately in front of or underneath the stage where the musicians sit.
- Scrim: A type of curtain, usually right behind the main drape, that can be opaque or transparent, depending on how it is lit.
- Stage Left: The left side of the stage from the actor’s point of view (facing the audience).
- Stage Right: The right side of the stage from the actor’s point of view (facing the audience).
- Trap: An opening in the stage floor for actors to pass through to make entrances and exits.
- Traveler: A type of curtain at the back of the stage, similar to the main drape, that can be closed to hide the back wall of the stage.
- Upstage: The area of the stage that is the furthest from the audience.
- Valence/Border: Short curtains that run the length of the stage and are designed to hide lighting instruments.
- Wings: The spaces immediately offstage of the playing space, sometimes referred to by technicians as “the deck.”
Context & Analysis
All theatres--no matter when they were designed or where they are located--are defined by two important elements. First, there must always be a space for the audience. Second, the stage itself is functional for the actors and technicians. This guide will provide an introduction to traditional theatre spaces, stages, and their important features. While many of these
to read our learning module for Parts of the Stage and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!StageAgent Resources
Guides
Technical Theatre:
Blog Posts
Links & Media
Quizzes

Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress