What is the term for a set piece that helps create the illusion of depth on stage?

The term "false perspective" refers to a technique used in set design to create the illusion of depth on stage. This method often involves the manipulation of size and scale to make objects appear farther away or closer than they actually are, enhancing the three-dimensionality of the stage picture. When designed effectively, false perspective helps to draw the audience's eye into the depth of the stage, thereby creating a more immersive experience.

In stage design, using false perspective can include elements like tapered pathways, scaled-down props, or sloped surfaces that visually recede into the background. This technique is commonly employed in theatrical productions to make settings feel more expansive and realistic, facilitating storytelling by evoking a more convincing spatial relationship among the characters and environment.

In contrast, while flats, backdrops, and panels are all essential elements of stage scenery, they do not inherently create depth. Flats are primarily two-dimensional structures that give the appearance of walls, backdrops serve as painted or printed backgrounds, and panels refer to flat surfaces that can also be part of the set design but do not specifically address the illusion of depth as effectively as false perspective does.