Theaters are divided into two main sections, the hall and the stage, with a behind-the-scenes area in many theaters. The house is the seating area for guests who watch a performance and the stage is where the actual performance is performed. The audience enters the auditorium through corridors with doors known as vomitories. The auditorium (also known as the house) is where the audience sits to watch the performance.
The seats can be on one or more levels, depending on the size and type of theater. The first level of seating located right in front of the stage, which usually starts below stage level and rises slowly as it reaches the back of the auditorium, is known as the stalls. The back of the armchair can be hung by a balcony with other tiered seats, commonly known as a costume circle or large circle. This can be curved around the sides of the auditorium to form individual boxes near the stage, which generally fit between two and six people.
These special seats were originally built for dignitaries, since everyone else could see them in the auditorium. Nowadays they are less used because they don't always have a good view of the stage. Some theaters will have more balconies and boxes above the first balcony, but rarely more than three balconies in total. The second balcony is known as the upper circle and the upper level of seating is known as the Gallery of the Gods.
Part of the front of the theater where people first arrive when entering is known as the lobby. Some theaters have a merchandise stand or store where you can buy souvenirs for the show or theater. A theater with proscenium arches is what many people consider to be a traditional theatrical space that developed from Victorian times. This type of theater has ornate photo frames around it, making it an ideal place to watch a production.
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