Who works behind the curtain at a play?

Have you ever sat in a dark theatre, waiting for a show? A big, soft curtain hangs in front of you. Listen, everyone goes quiet. Who is busy back there, behind that curtain?

The people behind the curtain are called the crew, which means a team of helpers who work together. They wear black clothes. That way, you can hardly see them in the dark.

Before the show starts, some of the crew help the actors get dressed. They zip up a lion costume and button a king's coat. Every actor needs to look right for the story.

Next comes the stage manager, which means the helper who is in charge of the whole show. She stands at a little desk beside the stage. She wears headphones with a tiny microphone. With it, she tells each helper when to do their job.

Now the stage manager says go. A crew helper pulls a long, strong rope. Swish! The big curtain opens, and you see a painted castle.

A crew helper waits behind the curtain beside the props, which means the things actors carry in a play. A crown, a cup and a magic wand sit on a table. Just before the king walks on, the helper hands him his crown. Then every actor has the right thing at the right time.

Soon the castle part of the story ends. The next part happens in a forest. The stage manager tells a helper to turn the lights down low. What do you think the crew does in the dark?

The crew tiptoes onto the stage and carries the castle walls away. They roll in tall painted trees and set a basket prop on the ground. When the lights shine again, the stage is a forest!

Crew, stage manager, props. Behind the curtain, a crew of helpers and their stage manager make the play happen.

Next time a curtain opens, you can smile and think of all the quiet helpers behind it.