The layout of a proscenium arch stage 

Glad that you enjoyed it. It is always interesting to hear how things differ across the pond. I think that OP and PS are quite old terms that are gradually dying out but occasionally you do come across technicians that still use them. Pros or pros arch is just short for proscenium. These shortened terms can vary from theatre to theatre. Teasers, house rag and main curtain are all new terms to me and although I have come across grand drape and house curtain before I've never heard them used in an actual venue. I haven't heard the term 'howl-around' before. Might start using it though as it sounds cool.

Personally I've only ever heard the legs or portals numbered by the stage crew. The directors I've seen have usually pointed at the leg they want the actor to exit or enter from behind without giving them a number. This could either be because we don't refer to them by number in the UK or it could be that these particular directors have got out of the habit of referring to them correctly. The space behind the legs is the wings as this is where actors wait just before making their entrance. I've never heard them referred to as the "Bay". I don't think "side stage" is a specific term in the UK but one probably wouldn't use it to refer to the wings as to my ears it implies an area of the stage itself. We do have the terms "off stage" and "back stage" which refer generally to the wings and subsequent areas such as the greenroom and dressing rooms.

@@alsagercommunitytheatre8497 Thank you for your reply. I think those "new terms" appeared because our people don't know the right words to name such areas and then they create one.

The terms 'legs' and 'flats' refer to different things. Legs are part of the 'stage' and are the vertical curtains masking the wings and are usually only made from cloth. Flats are part of the 'set' and are usually structural on one side and decorative on the audience side. They can be made from a variety of materials including wood and metal with a painted canvas or wood covering. Hope that helps.

Alsager Community Theatre Thank you very much. I appreciate you taking your time to answer, and yes, it certainly does help!

Auditorium.

Cheers. Please do elaborate. What terms are used in American theatres?

I made a mistake in saying that "much" of the terminology is different, my apologies. Really only the gauze we call a scrim.

Austin Bailey okcool

Glad you found it helpful! Are there any specific bits that you want more explanation of? We are happy to try and help.

Hello, happy to help. Which terms confused you? We can try to elaborate?

Hello, we're not aware of any curtains that are referred to as traverse curtains on a proscenium arch stage in the UK. Are you thinking of a traverse stage? These may possibly have curtains named after that style of stage, although I cannot confirm that for definite. Regarding the fly curtain, there is a curtain that sometimes goes by this name in a proscenium arch stage. It is sometimes also called the house boarder and is hung as far down stage as possible, just up stage of the house tabs, to mask the lighting, flying and other suspended equipment from view of the audience. It performs the same job as the regular boarders but is referred to by different names. Hope that helps. Please ask if you have any more questions.