proscenium

[proh-see-nee-uhm, pruh-]

noun

Theater.

plural

proscenia 

1. Also called proscenium arch. the arch that separates a stage from the auditorium. pros.

2. (formerly) the apron or, especially in ancient theater, the stage itself.

proscenium

/ prəˈsiːnɪəm /

noun

1. the arch or opening separating the stage from the auditorium together with the area immediately in front of the arch

2. (in ancient theatres) the stage itself

Word History and Origins

Origin of proscenium¹

1600–10; < Latin proscēnium, proscaenium < Greek proskḗnion entrance to a tent, porch, stage ( Late Greek: stage curtain), equivalent to pro- pro- ² + skēn ( ḗ ) ( scene ) + -ion neuter noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of proscenium¹

C17: via Latin from Greek proskēnion, from pro- before + skēnē scene

Example Sentences

Director Nancy Medina’s staging, circumnavigating a theatrical circle, lifts the audience out of its proscenium passivity into something almost immersive and definitely interactive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

None of the proscenium is actually there, nor are the musicians heard running scales and rehearsing “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"The story and the music itself was great for the Harris Theater, and honestly might have been dwarfed by this big gold proscenium with 3,500 seats."

Read more on Salon

The Delacorte was, she said, her group’s first proscenium experience in New York.

Read more on New York Times

The surprise is how well the space works for dance despite no proscenium to hang lights from, or wings for the dancers to disappear into.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• facade 
• face 
• façade 
• front line 
• head 
• top