False Proscenium
A frame of scenic canvas or vertical flats within the permanent proscenium arch that reduces the size of the opening. A false proscenium is used to fill in the gaps when a small set is placed onto a large stage.

Farce
A light comic play using broad characters and improbable situations and impossible coincidences. Considered less sophisticated and intellectual than pure comedy, farce's only goal is laughter.

Female Impersonation
See Cross-Dressing.

Fill Lights
General lights, typically floodlights, used to illuminate shadowy areas.

Fire Curtain
See Asbestos Curtain.

Five-Percenter
Theatrical agent or booker who found their entertainers/clients work. Named for the percentage of a performer's fee to which they were entitled. Later known as Ten-Percenters when their rates went up.

Flat
Any piece of scenery on a frame that is covered with canvas or light board. Flats are not necessarily solid for some are able to contain doors, windows, arches, etc.

Floats
Early form of footlights that using burning wicks floating in open containers of oil.

Floodlight
A large lensless lantern capable of flooding a vast area of the stage with illumination. It is generally used for crosslighting and backlighting. Also known as Floods.

Floods
See Floodlight.

Flies
See Fly.

Fly
(1) Attaching ropes to an actor so they can literally fly in a scene, such as in Peter Pan.
(2) (pl. Flies) The area above a stage in which counterweighted drops, curtains and equipment can be hung. Usually such items are supported by rigging attached to a GRIDIRON.
(3) A drop, curtain or piece of equipment capable of being raised to and lowered from the flies.
(4) The act of raising or lowering such suspended objects.

Fly Bar
A metal bar to which scenery and lights are attached for flying above the stage.

Fly Floor
See Fly Gallery.

Fly Gallery
Narrow platform at the side of a stage from which lines are manipulated to raise and lower scenery, battens, etc. Also known as a Fly Floor.

Footlights
Striplights located along the edge of the stage's apron, often used in vaudeville, old-time melodramas or as Curtain Warmers. Modern footlights are usually inside a metal trough which can be rotated and closed so they are flush with the stage floor.

Forestage
See Apron.

Fourth Wall
The imaginary wall of a stage set usually represented by the space framed by the proscenium. During a theatrical play, this separates the actors' actions from the audience's reactions. In essence, the actors perform the play as though the audience does not exist. To Break the Fourth Wall is to acknowledge the audience's presence during a play by speaking to or interacting with them.

Freak Act
See Specialty Act.

Fresnel Spotlight
A spotlight that employs a small internal bulb reflector, producing a bright soft edged light with a comparatively wide diameter and a short focal length.

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Glossary Index - Main Menu - Overture

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A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M

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N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

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