Audience Configurations
Proscenium Arch and End-on-Stage
A Proscenium Arch is a type of stage where all of the audience
are seating on one side, facing the stage and is one of the
most common stages used in theatre. A proscenium arch can
sometimes have an apron on the stage in front of the
audience, which is commonly used to address the audience
directly, which breaks the fourth wall1.
Strengths-
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 They have wings on each side of the stage where props can
stay that do not need to be on stage at the time. Actors can
also stay in the wings when they are not performing and cannot be seen by the audience2.
The audience can view all of the action on stage
Actors don’t have to worry about turning their backs to the audience as they are not all on
different sides of the stage.
Scenes can be changed quickly
Weaknesses
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There is not always as much space on a proscenium arch
Some audience members can be seated further away and therefore, may not always have a
good view
There is minimal contact between actors and the audience.
Thrust Stage
Unlike a proscenium arch, a thrust stage has the audience sitting
usually in three different areas3, the front and each side, therefore
there is a greater intimacy between the actors on stage and the
audience. The fourth side is at the back and can provide a
background to the play4.
Strengths
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Audience are much closer to the actors, even if there is a
large audience, this means they can get a close up of the
characters expressions and emotions. The action moves into the audience.5
There is still one side where actors can go to which can help prevent them from turning their
backs from any side of the audience
Weaknesses
1
Even though they can prevent turning their back to all of the audience, it leaves their
performing space limited, therefore they will have to perform further forwards and turn,
meaning at some points they will have their backs to the audience, effecting them as well.
http://www.thedramateacher.com/theatre-spaces/comment-page-1/
http://hsc.csu.edu.au/entertain/industry/core/staging/3459/theatre.htm
3
http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8190848_different-types-theater-staging.html
4
http://www.ia470.com/primer/theatres.htm
5
http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8502598_advantages-thrust-stage.html
2
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It can also effect an actor’s vocal performance to the audience if they are turned away from
them and cannot see all of their actions, meaning they could miss out.
Props must be in a position that won’t affect certain sides of the audience, if something is on
the right side of the thrust, it can block the right side of the audience’s view6.
Arena Stage
This type of stage has seating across all four sides of the stage, meaning the stage is completely in
the centre for all the audience. It can be any shape possible and is a good stage to use for a realistic
play. This type of stage is best for including the audience and getting them up on stage.
Strengths This type of stage means that there is a great
intimacy between the actors and the audience to help
the audience feel very included7.
 The stage is raised to improve sightlines8
 This staging can effect actors who will need a lot of
energy as they will need to constantly be moving
around to ensure no one in the audience is left out.
 The energy from the actors can then effect the
audience as they could get this energy and may get
them to want to be more involved.
Weaknesses
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The actors on stage will always have their backs to at least one part of the audience, meaning
so that audience members are not always left out, actors will always have to be moving around
the stage.
There is the issue with props that if there are too many on the floor or if they are too big, they
can make the set look like a mess.
If the lighting set up is not correct, then whilst the actor may
look acceptable on one side, if they turn, their face could
darken, meaning that the audience cannot see them properly.
Traverse Stage
A traverse stage is set out so that the audience is sitting on two sides
of the stage facing each other. The stage and seating is usually set
out as a rectangle for the actors to walk up and down the stage and
looks similar to an alleyway9.
Strengths6
http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8190848_different-types-theater-staging.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zg9x34j/revision/7
8
https://cassstudio6.wordpress.com/forms-of-stage/types/
9
http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8190848_different-types-theater-staging.html
7
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The actors and the audience have a greater intimacy, therefore, the actors can make the
audience feel more involved in the production.
The audience are then closer up so they can hear the actor’s voices clearly and see their
facial expressions better.
Weaknesses
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Especially of there is only one actor on stage, they can still have their back turned to the
audience, therefore they will need to clearly project their voices for them to still hear.
When it comes to a traverse stage, the stage is usually higher up than the seating, therefore,
the audience at the front may have trouble seeing.
There can’t be too much scenery on the set or too many props, otherwise the stage can
block the view for audience, it also looks clattered and more of a mess.
In the Round
An in the round stage is set up with the audience
completely surrounding the stage, which is set up at a
round shape. This type of stage is very good if a production
includes getting the audience up on stage and involved,
similar to an arena stage.
Strengths
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This can create a lot of intimacy between the actors
and the audience, especially as this type of stage is ideal for getting many audience
members involved on stage.
Actors are very active on this type of stage, in order for all the audience to feel included and
not left out (which they will if actors have their back turned to them), they need to
constantly be moving. If the actors are very active and energetic, this energy can transfer
onto the audience.
Weaknesses
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10
The audience can be effected by how much of the audience they see, there will be many
points throughout a performance on this type of stage where the actor will have their backs
to them. Therefore the audience may not feel as included in certain scenes.
This also means that actors have to always be aware of their positions and must be
constantly moving around.
There can’t be too many props on stage, if so it can make the stage look clattered and if the
stage is set higher than the seating, then the audience will not be able to see properly.
If the lighting isn’t set up properly, then it can affect how the audience see the actors due to
the possibility of their face being darker at one side.
Sight line issues10
http://www.thedramateacher.com/theatre-spaces/comment-page-1/
http://hsc.csu.edu.au/entertain/industry/core/staging/3459/theatre.htm
http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8190848_different-types-theater-staging.html
http://www.thedramateacher.com/theatre-spaces/comment-page-1/
https://theatredesigner.wordpress.com/theatre-design-101/stage-types-thrust/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zg9x34j/revision/7
http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8502598_advantages-thrust-stage.html
https://theatredesigner.wordpress.com/theatre-design-101/stage-types-thrust/
http://www.thedramateacher.com/theatre-spaces/comment-page-1/
http://bloggingshakespeare.com/to-thrust-or-not-to-thrust
https://cassstudio6.wordpress.com/forms-of-stage/types/
http://www.ia470.com/primer/theatres.htm
https://wiki.vpa.mtu.edu/wiki/index.php/Arena_Stage
http://naughtsandcrosses-francescastone.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/traverse-theatre.html
https://theatredesigner.wordpress.com/theatre-design-101/stage-types-traverse/