Final answer:
A 4-letter word for items used to dress a stage or carried by actors is 'a prop.' Props are managed by the Prop Shop and help tell the story visually, supporting the set design and overall production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 4-letter word for any article used to dress a stage for a scene, or any object carried by hand onstage is a prop. Props are essential elements in theatre production, handled by the Prop Shop under the supervision of the Properties Coordinator. They help in visual storytelling by adding depth and authenticity to the performance. Props can be acquired by purchasing, pulling from storage, borrowing, or creating from scratch, all to serve the story and complement the set design.
The term 'set' refers to the physical environment created to represent the world in which a play is set, including backdrops and all the decorative details. When a script provides stage directions, it includes instructions for both the use of props and the set. All these elements are integrated during rehearsals, culminating in a unified design that supports the actors and the story they tell.