Wagon Stage
Originally used during Medieval English and German festivals, these wheeled stages would go to an audience, present its short mystery play then go to its next awaiting audience. Another wagon stage would then take the first one's place and present its play. In some cases, each wagon stage presented a different play; in others, they would present sequential acts of the same play. As many as a dozen wagon stages would be used during one festival, taking the festivities to the various areas of a city and/or countryside. Those wagon stages were a form of mobile platform stage, two-stories tall with the top being the stage area and the bottom for dressing rooms, storage, etc. (Wagon stages were the forerunners of parade floats.) Later, modified wagon stages that also contained living quarters were used in medicine shows. Also know as a Pageant or a Pageant Wagon.

Wardrobe
The stock of clothing/costumes actors wear on stage.

Wardrobe Master or Wardrobe Mistress
The person responsible for the making, repair and washing of all costumes that the costume designer creates.

Wardrobe Plot
An actor-by-actor, scene-by-scene inventory of all the costumes and their parts used in a production. If a long run is expected, a detailed list of fabrics, buttons, etc., is kept for repairing or replacing costumes.

Wash Light
Light, often colored, used to give general illumination to the stage.

Well-Made Play
A modern drama in which tight construction and carefully contrived logical plotting is emphasized.

Whiteface
(1) An entertainer wearing clown white facial make-up, such as a 'Caucasian' Mr. Interlocutor in a minstrel show, a mime, a clown, etc.
(2) See Clown White.

Wing
(1) Scenery or curtains placed along the sides of a stage at proper intervals to prevent the audience from glimpsing the backstage area.
(2) Either side of the stage just out of sight from the audience where actors stand before making their entrance, where props are kept, etc. "Waiting in the wings" refers to someone waiting in that area.

Wing Workers
See Working Lights.

Wipe
A single curtain moving across the stage on a single track (or wipe track) rather than paired curtains on a tab track.

Work Call
The time in which the crew is called in to work on a production's technical elements without the actors present.

Working Drawings
Detailed drawings or blueprints that give specifics of prop or set construction.

Working Lights
(1) Lights used when the stage and/or auditorium lighting is not on. Used for rehearsals, set work and, for safety, when the stage is not in use.
(2) Dim blue lights used to illuminate offstage obstacles, props tables, etc., during a performance. Also known as Wing Workers.

---

Glossary Index - Main Menu - Overture

---

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

---

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

---