Backstage - Urakata

A theater term. The opposite of "omotekata," it refers to those involved in the performance who work behind the stage curtain. However, it does not include actors. "Urakata" includes the set and props people, costume people, hairdresser, kyogen writers, musicians, as well as the head of the production and the stage attendant. These are the people who play an important role in supporting the creation of a play behind the scenes of a glamorous theatrical performance, never to be seen by the audience. This has since been used in general terms to refer to those who play a role similar to that of the "power behind the scenes."

[Yukio Hattori]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

劇場用語。「表方(おもてかた)」に対する名称で、舞台の引幕(ひきまく)を境として、それよりも奥（裏）で働く演技関係者。ただし俳優は含まない。大道具方、小道具方、衣装、床山(とこやま)、狂言作者、囃子方(はやしかた)をはじめ、頭取(とうどり)や楽屋口(がくやくち)番などが「裏方」にあたる。華やかに演劇が上演される背後にあって、直接観客の目に触れることのないところで創造を支えている重要な役割の人たちである。これが転じて一般用語でも「縁の下の力持ち」的な役割をする人をこの名でよぶ。

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