Types of Theater Spaces

…& their functions

Created by:Christian Rios

List of Basic Types:

• Proscenium

• Thrust stage

• Theatre in the Round

• Black Box Theater

Proscenium

• Theater space whose primary feature is a large frame or arch (called the proscenium arch even though it is frequently not a rounded archway at all), which is located at or near the front of the stage.

• The audience directly faces the stage, which is typically raised several feet above front row audience level

• Originally Roman Theater• Popular in the West.

Characteristics:

• The proscenium arch evolved from the proskenium in Ancient Greek theatres.

• The main stage is the space behind the proscenium arch, often marked by a curtain which can be lowered or drawn closed.

• The space in front of the curtain is called the "apron".• The areas obscured by the proscenium arch and any

curtains serving the same purpose (often called legs or tormentors) are called the wings.

• Any space not viewable to the audiences is collectively referred to as offstage.

• Proscenium stages range in size from small enclosures to several stories tall.

• Underneath and in front of the apron is sometimes an orchestra pit which is used by musicians during musicals and operas.

• Space above some proscenium stages may include a fly loft where curtains, scenery, and battens supporting a variety of lighting instruments may hang.

• Many theatrical properties and scenery may be utilized.

• Backdrops, curtains and lighting can be used to greater effect without risk of rigging being visible to the audience.

• Entrances and exits can be made more gracefully.

Functions:

• The orchestra pit may sometimes be covered and used as an additional playing space in order to bring the actors closer to the audience.

• The advantages are that it gives everyone in the audience a good view because the performers need only focus on one direction rather than continually moving around the stage to give a good view from all sides.

• A proscenium theatre layout also simplifies the hiding and obscuring of objects from the audience's view.

Dysfunctions:

• The downfall to a proscenium stage is that it is difficult (though not impossible) to turn it into something else.

Proscenium: The Fourth Wall

• The side of the stage that faces the audience is referred to as the "fourth wall".

• The phrase "breaking the proscenium" refers to when a performer addresses the audience directly as part of the dramatic production (is also known as breaking the fourth wall).

• Phrase can also refer to when a member of the cast or crew walks onto the stage or into the house when there is an audience inside, also breaking the fourth wall.

Thrust Stage

• Also known as a platform stage or open stage

• Extends into the audience on three sides and is connected to the backstage area by its up stage end.

• Many of the works of Shakespeare were first performed on the thrust stage of the Globe Theater and lend themselves to such a stage design in modern times as well.

Characteristics:

• Entrances onto a thrust are most readily made from backstage, although some theatres provide for performers to enter through the audience using vomitory entrances.

Functions:

• A thrust has the benefit of greater intimacy between performers and the audience than a proscenium, while retaining the utility of a backstage area.

• The audience may view the stage from three or more sides.

• If a performance employs the ‘fourth wall’, that imaginary wall must be maintained on multiple sides.

Dysfunctions:

• Because the audience can view the performance from a variety of perspectives; the blocking, props, and scenery receive thorough consideration to ensure that no perspective is blocked from view.

Theatre in the Round• Also known as arena theatre.• Any theatre space in which the

audience surrounds the stage area.

• In 1947, Margo Jones established America's first professional theatre-in-the-round company.

• Theatre-in-the-round was common in ancient theatre, particularly that of Greece and Rome but was not widely explored again until the latter half of the 20th century; it has continued as a creative alternative to the more common Proscenium format.

Characteristics:

• Requires no stage curtain, little scenery and allows the audience to sit on three sides of the stage.

• The stage itself in this arrangement is typically round, diamond, or triangular, with actors entering and exiting through the audience from different directions or from below the stage.

Functions:

• The characteristics lend itself to high-energy productions, and is especially favored by producers of classical theatre.

• Allows for interesting and realistic staging. • The configuration is also commonly employed

when theatrical performances are presented in non-traditional spaces such as restaurants, public areas such as fairs or festivals, or street theatre.

Dysfunctions:

• Presents problems because actors at all times have their back facing some members of the audience.

• Backdrops and curtains cannot be used, thus the director must find other ways to set the scene.

• Entrances and exits must be made either through the audience, making surprise entrances very difficult, or via closed-off walkways, which must be inconspicuous. As a result, stage entrances are normally in the corners of the theatre

• Special consideration needs to be taken in regard to the set design, so as not to obscure any audience member's view of the performance.

Black Box Theater • Also known as experimental

theatre. • Recent. Consisting of a simple,

somewhat unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor.

• The concept of a building designed for flexible staging techniques can be attributed to Swiss designer Adolphe Appia, circa 1921, and instigated a half century of innovations in the relationship between audience and performers.

Characteristics:

• Black box theaters became popular and widespread particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, during which low-cost experimental theater was being actively practiced as never before.

• The seating is typically composed of loose chairs on platforms, which can be easily moved or removed to allow the entire space to be adapted to the artistic elements of a production. Common floor plans include thrust stage, modified thrust stage, and arena.

Functions:• Since almost any warehouse or open space in any building can be

transformed into a black box, including abandoned cafés and stores, the appeal for nonprofit and low-income artists is high.

• Such spaces are easily built and maintained, and are usually home to plays or other performances with very basic technical arrangements, such as limited sets, simple lighting effects, and an intimate focus on the story, writing, and performances rather than technical elements.

• The black box is also considered by many to be a place where more "pure" theater can be explored, with the most human and least technical elements being in focus.

• Colleges and other theater training programs employ the black box theater because the space is versatile and easy to change.

Terms, Places,

People and Things to Know • Proscenium• Thrust stage • Theatre in the Round• Black Box Theater • proscenium arch • Roman Theater• Ancient Greek theatres• wings• offstage• orchestra pit • musicians

• musicals• operas• breaking the fourth wall• platform stage • open stage • Shakespeare • Globe Theater • arena theatre• Margo Jones • experimental theatre• Adolphe Appia,

Works Sited:• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theater• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_(theatre)• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proscenium• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrust_stage• http://www.scenography.co.uk/theatre-design-101/stages/thrust-stage2.php• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_in_the_round• http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-101/stage-types-theatre-in-the-round/• http://www.berkeleyrep.org/press/photos-buildings.asp• http://wikiwiki.jp/jcdnmdfe/?plugin=ref&page=ORGANIZERS%A1%BFORGANIZATIONS&src=Aoyama.jpg• http://www.jccc.edu/home/download/11935/black_box_pic.jpg