WEBELOS

Get those Webelos outdoors –

Planning to graduate your Webelos to Boy Scouts at the Blue and Gold?  Or maybe March?  Be sure to check out your outdoor requirements now!!  Get in touch with your Den parents and a local Boy Scout troop and arrange the activities.

Outdoor requirements include –

4.      With your Webelos den, visit at least

o    one Boy Scout troop meeting,

o    one Boy Scout-oriented outdoor activity.
(If you did this to earn your Outdoorsman activity badge, you may not use it to fulfill requirements for your Arrow of Light Award)

5.       Participate in a Webelos overnight campout or day hike.
(If did this to earn your Outdoorsman activity badge, you may not use it to fulfill requirements for your Arrow of Light Award)

Remember - Depending on where you live, these could be hard to accomplish in January!!

CITIZEN

COMMUNITY GROUP

Be sure to check out last month’s issue of Baloo for more ideas for this Activity Award.  CD

Baltimore Area Council

One of the purposes of Cub Scouting is “Developing habits and attitudes of good citizenship”. A Scout promises to do his duty to his country. The Citizen Activity Badge helps the Webelos understand what a good citizen is and teaches him the history of our flag. Citizenship is more than just knowing the words to oaths and pledges. It is putting into practice the spirit of those words and ideas. There are outward signs of our country that we are all aware of. The map, flag, and the national anthem are some of these signs. The Citizen Activity Badge relates directly to developing responsible citizens. This is one of the prime purposes of Cub Scouting and the Boy Scouts of America. This badge is one of the requirements for the Arrow of Light Award.

On the trail to first Class rank the Boy Scout must learn more about citizenship skills rights and responsibilities. To become an Eagle Scout, the boy must earn a total of 21 merit badges. Three of these stress citizenship - Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, and Citizenship in the World - are Eagle required merit badges. So for a boy on the road to Eagle Scout, the Citizen Activity Badge is one of most important step in his Webelos year . The Citizen Activity Badge is in the Community group.

The Webelos Leader must plan carefully so that the boys get a feeling for the real meaning of citizenship without spending a lot of time in study. One of the best ways to stress the meaning of citizenship is by practicing citizenship skills and stressing doing a good turn. The appeal of this badge to the boys will be determined in large part by the method used by the Webelos Leader in presenting it. It can be exciting, fun and informative; or it can be just some more stuff to cover. Because of its importance, the leader is encouraged to make a special effort in planning it.

Objectives

To foster citizenship in Webelos Scouts. To teach boys to recognize the qualities of a good citizen. To introduce boys to the structure of the U.S. government. To familiarize boys with basics of American history .To convince boys that laws are beneficial. To encourage Webelos Scouts to become community volunteers.

Where to Go and What to Do

þ   Invite a guest speaker from a local board to explain his duties and tell the Webelos Scouts why he volunteers his time-

þ   Buy a packet of used U. S. commemorative stamps. Distribute several to the Webelos Scouts and challenge them to discover the “story behind the stamp”. At the following meeting allow each boy ample time to describe his stamps and their significance.

þ   Have each Webelos Scout write a letter to his Senator or Congressman to express an opinion on an issue. It would be especially interesting if two Webelos Scouts wrote an opinion about opposite sides of the same issue. See what responses you receive.

þ   Do a Good Turn by conducting a litter pickup campaign.

þ   Encourage Webelos Scouts to fly a flag at home particularly on appropriate flag holidays.

þ   Arrange for the Webelos den to do a community service project.

þ   Discuss the various organizations in the community which help people. How are they financed and run? Do they use volunteer help?

þ   Attend a naturalization ceremony.

þ   Observe the voting process.

þ   Visit a city council meeting, school board meeting, village association meeting.

þ   Explain Civic Pride. Illustrate with an example of Scout Pride. A Uniform Inspection demonstration

þ   Invite a new citizen to speak to your den on what becoming an American citizen means to him.

þ   Visit a local court. Ask the judge to speak to the boys about citizenship Acquaint boys with the court procedure.

þ   Visit your police, fire or rescue department

þ   Invite a local police officer, :fireman, emergency medical technician to a den meeting

þ   Learn more about your community

þ   Discuss difference between rights and duties of a citizen.

þ   In election years, gather current election material. Things like bumper stickers, voter signs

Good Turn Ideas

þ  Give some of the toys the Webelos Scouts may have made as part of the Craftsman badge to needy children. Use Craftsman skills to repair and refurbish toys for the same purpose.

þ  Give a holiday party for children or adults in a residential situation. Plan games, songs, small gifts, party favors, and treats.

þ  Participate in the Food Drive in the fall to stock good pantries for needy families. .Collect toiletry articles and used clothing for the homeless.

þ  Salvage used books to be sold at the public library or to be used to set up libraries for children or adults in a residential situation.

þ  Read to someone who cannot see.

þ  Provide snow shoveling, yard care, errand service, or other aid to an elderly person or couple in your neighborhood.

Symbols of Freedom

ü  Bell – symbolizes American independence and liberty. It is located in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. It was rung on July 8, 1776 to proclaim the Declaration of Independence. Later it became associated with the antislavery movement.

ü  Statute of Liberty – was a gift to the United States from France to commemorate America’s 100^th birthday. Dedicated in 1886 it was placed in New York Harbor. It is sculpted with a copy of the Declaration of Independence in one hand and a torch in the other, symbols that reflect the freedom and opportunity offered by the United States.

ü  Bald Eagle – noted for its strength, is an important symbol of our country. Its beauty in flight invokes the idea of freedom so integral to our system of government. Since 1792, the eagle has served as the central motif of the Great Seal of the United States. On the seal, the eagle brandishes the arrows of war and the olive branch of peace to represent the strength and liberty of our nation.

ü  American Flag – adapted by the First Continental Congress in 1777 to represent the 13 new states. The original resolution officially designed the United States flag as 13 alternating red and white stripes and 13 white stars in a blue field. The American flag has become the main symbol of our nation and people.

Activities

Newspaper Study Game -for dens or small groups

Equipment: One current newspaper per team.

Teams gather in groups, each with the same day’s issue of a newspaper. On signal, teams start a search for news items that definitely illustrate the 12 points of the Scout Law. Items are cut out and numbered according to the point of the law. Team with the most clippings in a given time wins. Strategy: The smart team leaders distribute pages among his team members.

Do You Know Your Flag?

When the Stars and Stripes first became our national flag, no one was sure just what the design of the flag should be. Since the time of that first flag, official descriptions of the national colors have been very careful and clear. Not only is the design of the flag carefully described today. But there are many special rules for displaying it. The following questions are based on the universal flag code of the United States. See how many you and your Webelos den can answer correctly. Some of these questions are tricky.

1.       The flag is raised (a) slowly, (b) briskly, (c) at any speed that is comfortable.

2.       If you carry the flag in a parade and passed before the President of the United States, you would dip the flag slightly in salute to the President as you walked past him. True or False?

3.       The flag must never be lowered no matter how bad the weather conditions. True or False?

4.       The flag is never allowed to fly after daylight hours anywhere in the world. True or False?

5.       When the flag is carried in a procession or on other occasions, it is escorted by an honor guard. True or False?

6.       The flag’s honor guard walks (a) on the flag’s right, (b) just behind the flag, (c) on both sides of the flag.

7.       If you are a Cub Scout, Webelos Scout, Boy Scout, or Explorer, you always give the Scout salute to the flag even when you are not in uniform. True or False?

8.       When you carry the flag in a parade with other flags, the U. S. flag must go on the left of and in line with the other flags. True or False?

Answers:

1.       (b) Briskly- it’s a happy occasion!

2.       False.  The flag is never dipped to anyone.

3.       The U.S. Code states, "The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed."  All-weather flags are specially made to resist the elements and are generally labeled as such by flag manufacturers. Even flags labeled as being all-weather flags, however, can be damaged by high winds and extreme conditions.  We recommend good judgment when determining whether a flag should remain flying during bad weather.

4.       False.  Although it is the custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset, there is not a law prohibiting its being flown both day and night.

5.       True.

6.       (c) On both sides of the flag.

7.       False.  When you are in civilian clothes, you remove your hat and place your hand over your heart when the flag passes

8.       False.  It is carried at the right of the other flags or at the front and center of a line of other flags.

Naturalization Test

Do you know enough to become a citizen? Take this test and find out!

1.       Who discovered America and what was he looking for?

2.       What were the first 13 original states that formed the Union?

3.       How many amendments to the Constitution have been made so far?

4.       What must be done before the Constitution can be amended?

5.       What right is provided in the 15th Amendment?

6.       When was the Constitution of the United States adopted?

7.       What form of government do we have in the United States? What is the difference between a republican type of government and a monarchy?

8.       How many Presidential electors does each state have?

9.       What is the most important right that the Constitution gives us as Americans?

10.    What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?

11.    Who established the first permanent colonies in North America?

12.    What is meant by referendum?

13.    What are the colors of the United States flag and what do they stand for?

14.    Who was President during the Civil War and about when was this war fought?

15.    What document was signed on July 4,1776: where was it signed and what did it declare?

16.    What are the basic principles of the U.S. Constitution?

17.    Who is eligible for the office of President or Vice President?

18.    When and where does Congress meet?

19.    Why is the government divided into three branches?

20.    How many members are there in the Supreme Court? What is the term of office for these judges?

Answers – Naturalization Test

1.       Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. He was looking for a short route to the Orient.

2.       Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Virginia.

3.       Twenty-six amendments have been made so far.

4.       Both Houses of Congress must pass the amendment, and 36 states must ratify and approve it.

5.       The 15th amendment gave all American citizens the right to vote, regardless of race, creed, or color.

6.       The Constitution of the United States was adopted March 4, 1789.

7.       A republic.  In a republican form of government the supreme power rests in all citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives elected directly or indirectly by them and responsible to them, while in a monarchy the head of the nation is a line who inherits the throne.

8.       Each state has as many Presidential electors as it has United States Senators and Representatives.

9.       It gave us Equality before the laws regardless of race, color, or religion. It gives us freedom so long as we do not interfere with the rights of others.

10.    The Bill of Rights.

11.    The English were first with permanent colonies.

12.    Referendum means that people may ratify or annul acts of the legislature.

13.    Red is for courage, White stands for truth, and Blue is for justice.

14.    Abraham Lincoln was President, 1861 -1865

15.    The Declaration of Independence, signed at Philadelphia. Declared our independence from England.

16.    Liberty, Equality, and Justice

17.    A native-born American citizen who is at least 35 years old

18.    Congress meets in Washington D.C. on January third of each year.

19.    To provide a system of checks and balances to prevent any group from becoming too strong.

20.    There are nine Justices in the Supreme Court. They serve for life with good behavior .

Presidential Word Search

Washington        Adams                 Jefferson            Madison

Monroe              (Adams)                 Jackson          Van Buren

Harrison               Tyler                       Polk                     Taylor

Fillmore                Pierce                 Buchanan             Lincoln

Johnson                Grant                     Hayes                Garfield

Arthur               Cleveland              (Harrison)      (Cleveland)

McKinley         Roosevelt                   Taft                    Wilson

Harding             Coolidge                 Hoover         (Roosevelt)

Truman           Eisenhower              Kennedy             Johnson

Nixon                     Ford                      Carter                 Reagan

Bush                    Clinton                   (Bush)                     Cubs

Scouts                 Bobcat                    Tiger                      Wolf

                              Bear`                   Webelos

Names in parentheses are repeats that only appear once in the puzzle

SHOWMAN

MENTAL SKILLS GROUP

Baltimore Area Council

The Showman Activity Badge offers a choice of PUPPETRY, MUSIC, OR DRAMA. A Webelos Scout can pick the area that suits him best. Encourage them to have fun with this Badge. The Showman Activity Badge is in the Mental Skills group.

Objectives

To instill an appreciation of the fine arts. To expose boys to entertainment professions. To expand the imagination and creativity of Webelos. To increase boys’ self - confidence in front of audiences.

Where to Go and What to Do

Ø  Junior and Senior high school plays.

Ø  Make up a Webelos band to entertain at a pack meeting.

Ø  Learn magic tricks to do as a skit. Or take your magic show on the road to a residential center for seniors or children.

Ø  Make a videotape of a play the Webelos write and perform. Show it to parents or in a demonstration corner of a pack meeting.

Ø  Invite an artist, and or a musician to a den meeting to tell about their profession or hobby.

Ø  Write and or perform a skit complete with scenery and costumes.

Ø  Attend a folk music festival. Learn to sing a folk song. Learn about the history of the song.

Ø  Invite the boys to tell about the instruments that they play.

Ø  Make an audiotape of a radio program the boys perform.

Puppetry

Activities

Have the boys make puppets out of a variety of materials. A wooden spoon can be made into a variety of different puppets. The bowl of the spoon becomes the head. Hair can be made from yarn, and clothes can be made of felt, or simply painted on.

A fun and different idea for puppets is to use work gloves. Work gloves come in assorted colors and textures. The white gloves with black polka dots on the fingers make great Dalmatian puppies. Brown gloves can be used as reindeer with brown chenille stick antlers. Have the glove peek out of a chimney, or make a cardboard sleigh.

A green glove can be turned into a collection of worms. An orange glove can become a family of tigers or giraffes. The puppets can be animated by inserting the glove into a decorated box to match the style of the puppet and moving the puppet with the use of a stick inserted at the base of the box. Or, the boys can simply use the gloves on their hands.

Build a simple stage. This can be accomplished with a table and a blanket draped over it. Even a clothesline strung between two chairs can hold up the curtains. A more elaborate stage can be made out of a very large cardboard box. This can be decorated to coordinate with the play’s theme.

Tips on Puppets

Puppets will be more appealing if given a definite personality, this means that your puppet should have his own character, which is unlike any other puppet on stage. The main idea is to make him an outstanding individual with his own mannerisms, with his particular way of walking and talking.

Facial features of a puppet will help make him outstanding in appearance. Give your puppet a face that will attract attention. The features of a puppet should be exaggerated. Give him an extra big nose or a very crooked mouth, so that the audience can recognize him easily.

Let your puppet speak and act according to the kind of person he represents. When putting on a puppet show, keep actions clear and simple.

Make sure the audience can tell which puppet is doing the talking. Jiggle the talking puppet somewhat as he talks, nod his head or move slightly forward. The other puppets on stage should remain motionless until their turn to speak. Be sure to speak clearly. It is harder to understand a person’s voice when you cannot watch his face and lips when he talks. Do not hide one puppet behind the others.

Fast Puppet Stages

ü  A cardboard box lid makes a good stage for one or two puppets. Cut holes in the lid. The puppeteer sticks his hands through the holes to work the puppets on his hands. He can drape a sheet over his body if he wants.

ü  Instant stages include an open umbrella placed on the floor or a card table with a sheet draped over it or set on its side.

ü  Cut large cardboard pieces in the shape of the side view of a ship. (rowboat, ocean liner, Viking boat, etc.)

Different Types Of Puppets

1.      Paper Bags – Common paper sacks such as lunch sacks may be decorated with paints, crayons, colored paper, etc.

2.      Sock – Roll paper into a tube ¾” across the inside and about 2” long, fasten with tape. Place stuffing material over the end of the tube and down its side to form the shape of the head. Now slip the end of the sock over the stuffing. Tie the sock onto the tube securely. The nose may be made by pulling a section of the sock out and wrapping with thread or a separate stuffed piece of cloth may be sewn on. Buttons, beads, etc make good eyes, ears, or noses. Paint or markers may be used to add further details to the faces. The simplest costume for this puppet is a rectangular piece of cloth folded at the center and a slot cut into the folded edge. Insert the neck of the puppet head into this slot and sew together. Sew each side of the costume together leaving an opening at each side of the top for the boy’s thumb and middle finger, which will be the puppet’s arms. The boy’s index finger fits into the tube to operate the head.

3.      Paper Mache’ Heads – Light weight and durable heads for puppets may be made by modeling paper mache’ to the desired shape.

Instructions

Prepare a wooden base or standard using any convenient piece of wood, about 5” square and ¾” thick. Put the rod in the center (rod may be ½” x 6 or 8” dowel) at the base. Wrap some crumpled paper around the top of the rod on the modeling base and tie it together with a piece of string. When tied, the ball should be about 1” in diameter.

Apply paper mache’ around the wadded paper until the head is 2 ½” in diameter and about 3” high. Form the eyes, ears, and nose either by squeezing the soft-ball to shape or by adding the features as separate pieces. After the desired shape has been made, dry the entire unit slowly. Drying maybe hastened by placing the head in a warm oven. Turn off the oven at regular intervals to keep it from getting to hot. When the head is well dried, pull out the crumpled paper. Smooth off the rough spots on the thoroughly dried head with sandpaper or a file. Apply several coats of shellac or glue sizing, then paint on the desired features. Hair may be painted on, yarn, crepe paper, theatrical hair or other suitable material may be glued on. If this type of head is to used for a hand puppet be sure the neck opening is large enough for the fingers.

Finger Dancers: Finger dancers are very comical. The fingers of the dancers re cut out of heavy paper or lightweight cardboard and are colored with crayons or paints. Each figure should be between 3 and 4 inches high. Two holes are cut near the base of each figure just big enough to let your fingers pass through them. To make a figure dance, put your finger through the holes, and move them to represent the dancer’s legs. You can walk sedately, do high kicks, stand on one toe, jump in the air, and do a number of other amusing antics.

Music

Activities

Folk Music

Folk music is as old as man himself. And primitive man probably sang folk songs, keeping time by clapping his hands. As long as there have been people, there have been folk songs. Many of our folk songs were brought here long ago by people who left Europe to escape persecution or to seek a fortune in the new world. Traditional folk songs are those passed on by word of mouth. Often the words and sometimes the music change over the years. Just as folk singers come from many different backgrounds, the American folk tune is a mixture of different cultures and music styles. You can hear the sea chantey “Blow the Man Down”, the French Canadian tune” Alouette”, a railroading song “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” and a Negro spiritual “When the Saints Go Marchin’ Inn.” Folk songs can be as old as “Greensleeves”, a 400-year old English ballad -or as new as today’s folk singers.

The unamplified guitar is to the folk singer what a bus is to a bus driver. But folk singers also play other instruments such as the banjo, lute, or mandolin.

Compose A Song

In Cub Scouting, we like to sing fun songs, especially about Cub Scouting or something gross or fun. We can even make our NEW song. We don’t have to write a new tune though. We can use a tune from a song that we know, like “Three Blind Mice.” It’s an easy tune to remember and an easy tune to sing. Here’s one example:

Road Kill Stew

(Tune: Three Blind Mice)

Road Kill stew,

Road Kill stew,

Tastes so good,

Just like it should.

You go on down to the Interstate

You wait for the critter to meet its fate.

You take it home and you make it great!

Road Kill stew,

Road Kill stew.

Now, You compose a song. First think of something that seems funny, but not insulting. Pick some words that rhyme so you can put them as the last word in pairs of lines. Some examples:

Wise – eyes Shirt – dirt Cake – mistake

Lad – bad – mad – sad Shred – head Snow – blow

Boys – toys – noise Scout – snout – shout Quiver – shiver

Grain – plain Song – strong – long Cub – shrub – sub – shrub

Sky – fly – tie – pie Wave – brave Air – there – share

Tree – free – me – three

Have your Webelos select their favorite song, by their favorite band. But instead of making a music video to with the song, have them write and present a puppet show instead!

Make a Band Instrument with These:

Ø  Tambourine -made by stretching upholstery plastic tightly between a pair of embroidery hoops. Painted bottle caps are fastened to the sides with thin wire. Decorate the top with markers or paints.

Ø  Bongo Drums -made from cardboard tubing from carpets and such. Make the head from more upholstery fabric. Stretch tightly and secure.

Ø  Washtub bass -made from a washtub turned upside down and a broomstick. Attach the broomstick to the washtub bottom. Run a heavy rubber band from the top of the broomstick to the edge of the washtub bottom. Vary the sound by stretching the rubber band back and forth while strumming.

Ø  Spoons -made from two tablespoons and a small block of wood. Fasten the spoons bowl-to-bowl with the wood, about 1/2 inch thick, between the handles. Fasten them at the handles. The spoon bowls should have a small amount of space between them. Play the spoons by holding them in one hand and striking them between the other hand and the thigh.

Ø  Add a cheap harmonica and you’ve got a great band. Don’t worry too much about the sounds and being in tune, the singing win probably drown out the music anyway!

Find the Word

FOLK               MUSIC                  DRUM                   CELLO

VIOLIN           VOICE                 GUITAR        DULCIMER

AUTOHARP                                  STAFF     TREBLE CLEF

SHARP             FLAT                    NOTE                       REST

NATURAL      BANJO              MEASURE                FLUTE

BASS CLEF                MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

 Drama

Activities

Contact a local theatre group and ask if your den can visit during a dress rehearsal.

Review the play before attending to make sure it is suitable for the boys, and also give the boys an idea as to what the play is about. While you are there, you may even get a tour of the stage area, the props, dressing rooms and lighting areas. It’s a perfect opportunity to try out the stage directions. The boys may even get to meet the “stars” and get their autographs. It can be a special evening for the boys.

Write, put on, and take part in a one-act play.

Let them come up with a theme. It’s easier if it’s something familiar to them, such as a recent school carnival, or school project. This can be performed for the Pack after a camp out or at the campfire during a camp Out. Use as many boys as there are in the den. The boys remain off stage until their turn, and then they stay on stage until everyone runs off at the end. Use props as desired. Boys can make up their own lines to suit their own camping adventures.

Simple Sound Effects

Knock on the Door – Hit a half gallon plastic bottle sharply on the end with a rubber spatula.

Hail – Pour rice on a pane of glass (near a microphone if you have one).

Lightning – Flash a white light off and on or use a photographic flash, along with the thunder sound.

Thunder – Grasp a metal cookie sheet at one end, placing your thumb on the underside, shake the cookie sheet so that it vibrates. Bang it against the knee for an occasional loud thunder-clap.

Rain – Fill a tin can full with dry peas or beans. Rotate the can slowly (in front of a microphone if you have one).

Crashes – Fill a wooden box with broken glass and a few stones, then nail on the top. Tip the end of the box to create various kinds of crashes.

Car Brakes – Slide a drinking glass across a pane of glass (in front of a microphone if you have one).

Train - Place small wire nails inside a flat box, such as a Band-Aid box. Move it back and forth in rhythm…chug, chug, chug, chug….. Speed up as the train goes faster and slow down as it is coming into the station.

Fire – Crumple and twist cellophane into a ball and then release it (in front of a microphone if you have one).

Sword Fight – Holding an aluminum cookie sheet in one hand, hit it with a metal spoon.

Simple Costumes

1.       Old Clothing – Costumes can be made from anything you can think of in the way of old clothing. Use different things to add to them to dress them up, such as feathers or beads. Broken toy guns, foil for deputy badges or for covering belt buckles, vinyl scrapes for vest and chaps will be useful for a cowboy costume.

2.       Crepe Paper – Crepe paper is an inexpensive costume material. It can be glued, stapled, draped and folded. Its ability to stretch is also an important factor. Simple tunics, vests, shirts, and hats can be fashioned quite easily. With its wide range of colors crepe paper has many possibilities.

3.       Paper Sacks – Grocery sacks and brown wrapping paper can be used for both costumes and masks. They can be painted with latex or tempura paint. For a leather-like appearance, crush and recrush brown paper sacks, or brown wrapping paper until it is soft and wrinkled. Then press with a lukewarm iron. This works for Indian and Western costumes.

4.       Cardboard Box – Cut holes for head and arms, Then let the boys paint them with latex paint, felt tip markers, and pens for highlights. You can have clowns, animals, vegetables, robots, musical instruments or most anything else. This is limited only by the boys imaginations.

Find the Word

Muppets        Star Wars           Harry Potter           Star Trek

Bushwacked                              Richie Rich       Beach Boys

Xmen      Back Street Boys                            Power Rangers

Balto             Spiderman                Shrek                  Spy Kids

Snow Dogs       Speed               Robin Hood

Theater Definitions

Invite Student actors from the local High School or acting institutes in your area to come in and talk to the boys about acting as a career. Let them demonstrate the different definitions used in acting. See if they would be will to present a demonstration of the various styles of acting to the boys.

Blocking   This is how actors move on stage and where they move.

Down stage           The part of the stage closest to the audience.

Upstage     The part of the stage farthest from the audience. In old theaters, the stage used to slant down toward the audience so that the audience could see the actors better. This is called a raked stage.

Stage left  The part of the stage to the actor’s left.

Stage right           The part of the stage to the actor’s right.

Center stage         The center of the stage.

Open Turn           Actor is to turn toward the audience

Closed turn          Turn made away and with the actor’s back to the audience, usually considered a poor movement. The opposite, an open turn, is most often preferred.

Cross         Movement of an actor from one position on the stage to another

Cross above         To move upstage/behind a person or prop

Cross below         To move downstage/in front of a person or prop

Down Right          Acting area closest to the audience and on the right side of the stage as   you face the audience (the actor’s right)

Entrance 1) entering the stage; 2) opening in the set that is used for entering

Exit            1) leaving the stage; 2) opening in the set that is used for leaving

Move in    To cross toward the center of the stage

Move out To cross away from the center of the stage

Turn In     Actor is to face upstage, away from the audience

Turn Out  Actor is to face downstage, toward the audience

Up-Left Center    That part of the playing area farthest from the audience and just left of center as you face the audience (the actor’s left)

Upstaging To cross deliberately to a place upstage of another actor and assume a full front or one quarter position, thereby forcing the other performer to turn to a three-quarter position in order to talk with the up stager

Front or Act Curtain (house curtain): Curtain that masks the acting area or stage from the audience.  Opens show and can be used to separate Acts.

Apron:      Area between the front curtain & edge of the stage.

Proscenium Opening: Opening through which the audience views the play or performance.

Theatre in the Round (arena stage): A stage which may be viewed from all sides simultaneously.

Wings:      Offstage areas to R and L of acting/onstage area.

Teaser:     Heavy curtain hung from above the proscenium opening to adjust the height of the opening.

Tormentors:        Curtain or flats on the sides of the proscenium opening used to vary the width of the opening.

Borders:   Short curtains hung above the acting area to mask lighting and flown scenery from audience.

Tabs:         Long curtains hung parallel to the tormentors on both wings to create masking or entrances.

Trap:         An opening in the stage floor.

Fly Loft (flies)     Space above the stage where scenery may be lifted out of sight of the audience

Drop:         A large cloth (often painted) used for creating a scene or picture background on stage.

Scrim:       A drop of loosely woven material (cheesecloth) that is opaque if front lit and is transparent if backlit.

Flats:         Wooden frames with a flat surface used to create walls or separations on stage.

Backstage stage area beyond the acting area, including the dressing rooms

Offstage   areas of the stage not in view of the audience

Pit              area immediately below the stage, usually lower than the auditorium level; used by the orchestra

Platform stage    stage raised above the audience area, which is placed at one end of a room

Spike         to mark the stage floor with chalk or tape to indicate the position of furniture, properties, or scenery so that they will be placed correctly during scene shifts.