Parterre

The parterre section, now often called the "orchestra" section, is the lowest seating area in the theatre. Prior to the 1860's, this area had no fixed seats; it was a standing-room area for the poorest patrons. After that date, however, theatre owners started to install comfortable seats in this section, making it second only to the boxes as the most desirable and expensive in the theatre. Seats in this section cost 75¢ (while gallery seats cost 25-50¢ and box seats cost $1 - $1.50). Upper class spectators sat in this section alongside splurging middle-class spectators.

See the related discussion of the theatre's seats and carpets.