THEATRE SPACES
Theatre: a space where a performance takes place, in effect a large machine in the form of a building
that is specialized for presenting performances.
Stage types:
Proscenium stage:
A proscenium theatre is what we usually think of as a "theatre". Its primary feature is the Proscenium, a
"picture frame" placed around the front of the playing area of an end stage.
Upstage Right
Upstage Center
Upstage Left
Stage Right
Center Stage
Stage Left
Downstage Right
Downstage Center
Downstage Left
AUDIENCE
Proscenium Theatre
SCENERY
LIGHTING
BLOCKING
Pros
Conventional theatre space
Allows for a "realistic" visual
"picture frame."
Easier to light (one Direction)
Cons
Can use lots of scenery. More
expensive - lots of space to fill.
Lighting usually over the
audience’s heads
All blocking must face the
audience
Easier to block - Audience only
sees it from the front Uses
traditional stage areas
Front of House: Anything in front of the stage and where the audience seating is.
On-Stage: Anything the audience can see on the stage.
Backstage/Off-stage: Anything on the stage, but that is out of audience view
Masking: Curtains of the stage. The curtains on the sides are called Legs.
Thrust theatre:
A Stage surrounded by audience on three sides. The Fourth side serves as the background.
In a typical modern arrangement: the stage is often a square or rectangular playing area, usually raised,
surrounded by raked seating. Other shapes are possible; Shakespeare's Globe Theatre was a five-sided
thrust stage.
Thrust Stage
SCENERY
Pros
Less expensive - Audience is on
three sides so it needs to be
minimal
LIGHTING
Relies more heavily on lighting.
Allows for more layering in
lighting
Still have intimacy Performers
are much closer to the audience
BLOCKING
Cons
Blend of proscenium and
arena. Versatile Uses limited
amount of realistic scenery.
Audience must use their
imagination to fill in the
blanks.
More Complicated - light
actors so they look good on 3
sides
Takes away prime seating,
adds it to the sides
Arena Theatre:
A central stage surrounded by audience on all sides. The stage area is often raised to improve sightlines.
Arena
SCENERY
Pros
Little to no cost on scenery.
Floor becomes very important.
LIGHTING
BLOCKING
Very intimate-closer to the
action than with a proscenium
stage; can see other audience
members across the stage.
Performers have to keep
moving.
Cons
Can't use very realistic
scenery.
Lighting becomes difficult.
Must make things look good
from all 4 sides.
More difficult to block,
Someone's back is always
facing the audience. Can
see other audience
members across the
stage.
Black Box Theatre:
Sometimes called a "Flexible" theatre, these stages are often big empty boxes painted black inside.
Stage and seating not fixed. Instead, each can be altered to suit the needs of the play or the whim of the
director.