Stage Management/Props Vocabulary

The position of the actor in relation to the audience (full back, full front, profile left or right, quarter turn left or right, three-quarter turn left or right).

• Actor's Position

• Entrance/Exit

• Places

• Preview

The area of the stage that is beyond the view of the audience; also called offstage.

• Backstage

• Actor's Position

• House

• Blocking

The planned movement of the performers in a production for stage or screen.

• Blocking

• Places

• Props

• Tech Rehearsal

A performer’s arrival onto or departure from the stage.

• Entrance/Exit

• Blocking

• Actor's Position

• Intermission

The seating area for the audience in a theater or auditorium.

• House

• Backstage

• Blocking

• Preview

A break in the performance, usually at the halfway point.

• Intermission

• House

• Places

• Props

The call for all performers and stage crew to take their positions for the start of the rehearsal or performance.

• Places

• Preview

• Run-Through

• Spike

A dress rehearsal performed for an audience before the official opening.

• Preview

• Tech Rehearsal

• Run-Through

• Entrance/Exit

The copy of the script containing all the notes required to run the production, including blocking, cues, and technical elements.

• Promptbook

• Stage Manager

• Backstage

• Props

The person who designs, selects, purchases, and/or creates the props needed in a production for stage or screen.

• Props Master/Mistress

• Stage Manager

• Props

• House