Question: We recently saw a production of "Madame Butterfly" in which people I would call "prop tenders" were used on stage. They were swathed in a grey-ish gauze fabric, including their mouths, indicating they were "invisible." They carried things such as baskets of rose petals, the knife, etc. Is there a particular name for this role?

Diva: These onstage tasks are usually the domain of the Supernumeraries, some of whom are highly skilled actors, carefully rehearsed in their scenes.