What term describes the sides of a theatre stage where performers may enter or exit?

The term "Wings" is used to describe the sides of a theatre stage where performers can enter or exit. These areas are typically offstage and are crucial for various staging and production needs. The wings allow actors to wait for their cues and help with scene transitions without being visible to the audience.

In theatre design, wings play a significant role in managing the flow of a performance, ensuring that actions occurring offstage contribute to a seamless onstage experience. This term is widely recognized in theatrical circles, and understanding it is essential for anyone studying drama or participating in theatrical productions.

Other terms like "flanks" and "entrances" do not encapsulate the specific function of the areas where performers prepare to go on stage. "Entrances" refers to the actual points where actors make their appearances rather than the areas where they wait, while "lofts" generally refer to elevated spaces in the theatre structure rather than onstage sides.