Which fabric is typically used for scenery and lighting, known for its gauzy appearance?

The fabric known for its gauzy appearance and commonly used in theatre for scenery and lighting effects is scrim. Scrim is a lightweight, translucent material that appears opaque when lit from the front but becomes transparent when backlit. This unique property allows for dramatic visual effects in theatrical productions, enabling designers to create layers and depth on stage. When a scene is lit from the back, actors or scenery behind the scrim can become visible, adding to the richness of the visual storytelling.

While other choices like masking and backcloth serve important functions in theatre — masking is typically opaque and used to cover the stage or backstage areas, while backcloth refers to painted or printed fabric that serves as a backdrop — they do not possess the same gauzy qualities and versatility in lighting effects as scrim. Gauze, although similar in texture and appearance, is generally not referred to in the same context as scrim in theatrical terminology. Thus, scrim is the correct answer due to its specific characteristics and common application in stage lighting and design.