What do you call items that look movable and are present on stage when the performance begins?

Set props are the items that are placed on stage and appear to be movable at the beginning of a performance. These props are integral to the set design and contribute to the overall environment of the production. Unlike hand props, which are typically carried by actors, set props remain on stage and are part of the scenery or backdrop of the performance.

Set props can include furniture, decorations, or any large items that enhance the setting and context of the story being told. They are designed to support the narrative and help in establishing the time and place while also being functional or interactive within the performance.

Costumes are worn by the actors and do not fit the criteria of being on stage as movable items at the beginning. Hand props refer specifically to smaller items that actors manipulate during the performance. Although set props and hand props may serve different purposes, set props distinctly refer to those scenic elements that are established on stage right from the start.