What is a canvas or flat panel placed onto a proscenium stage to reduce the size of the space called?

A canvas or flat panel placed onto a proscenium stage to reduce the size of the space is referred to as a false proscenium. This technique is used in theatrical design to create a visual frame for the performance, allowing the stage to feel more intimate, especially for smaller productions or scenes that require a closer connection with the audience. The false proscenium helps to isolate the actors and the action, focusing the audience's attention and providing a distinct boundary between the audience and the performance space.

This approach can enhance the overall aesthetics of a production by allowing for different staging possibilities and enhancing the immersive experience. Other terms in the options represent different concepts: a backdrop typically refers to a painted or designed screen behind the action, a flat panel usually refers to a wooden or structural element for support or scenery, and stage wool, while a material used in theatre, does not relate directly to modifying the proscenium space.