Stagecraft refers to the skills that go into staging a play, for example scenery, lighting, costumes, props, sound effects and music. A play is only words on a page until it is brought to life and performed by actors. The director, set designer, sound engineer, special effects engineer, costume designer and lighting designer all make the play more dramatic, exciting and enjoyable.
Use this vocabulary when you describe a scene on stage.
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Apron: part of stage or full stage that juts out into the audience area Backdrop: the stage background, often a painted design or curtain Downstage: the part of the stage that is closest to the audience Lighting: illumination of all or parts of the stage/actors with electric lamps and spotlights
When you are confident that you know these definitions, go to your Writing Skills Book to test yourself.
Props: all the moveable stage furnishings, including furniture, that are physically used by the actors Stage right: the right side of the stage from the actor’s point of view (facing the audience) Stage left: the left side of the stage from the actor’s point of view (facing the audience) Trap: an opening in the stage floor Upstage: the area of the stage farthest away from the audience and nearest to the back wall
