A glossary of Stage Terms for students exploring design for Stage and Screen

Stock Scenery

Stock Scenery is scenery or scenic elements which can be used time and time again for different productions, items such as backcloths, stock flats, stock rostrums, stock windows, fire places, etc

Tabs

Tabs, are similar to runners, a pair of curtains the full width and height of the stage which overlap at the centre. Front Tabs are the House Tabs or House Curtain. Also referred to as Traverse Tabs

Traverse Tabs

Traverse Tabs, are similar to runners, a pair of curtains the full width and height of the stage which overlap at the centre. Front Tabs are the House Tabs or House Curtain. Also referred to as Tabs

Tab Track

Tab Track, a heavy duty (industrial) curtain track which overlaps at the centre on which horizontal running Tabs are suspended from

Teaser

Teaser, is a border of scenery or a short cloth drop behind the front curtain for masking the flys

Thrust Stage

Thrust Stage is a type of stage that projects into the auditorium so that the audience can sit on two or three sides of the action

Stage Right

Stage Right or SR, the right hand side of the stage as viewed by the performer when facing the audience also termed Opposite Prompt.

Proscenium Arch

Proscenium Arch refers to the large archway that separates the stage area from the auditorium

Sand Bag

Sand Bag, a canvas bag full of sand used to weight the on stage ends of hemp flying ropes, also used to weigh and secure scenery on stage.  

Runners

Runners, a pair of curtains on a horizontal rail parting in the centre.