-Theatre buildings and traditions date back to ancient civilization
Greek Theatre
-Eccyclema: platform wagon
-Periaktoi: triangle shaped scenery
-Pinakes: painted drops
-Machina: a bucket that was lowered from the Skene
Roman Theatre
-Auleum: a curtain in the front that was lowered into slots
-Siparium: a curtain in the back that acted as a painted background for the
show
-probably not specific to show but type of show, had slits for entrances
-coliseums used elevators, moving platforms, and trapdoors
-After fall of Rome organized, secular theatre was virtually dead. Only
traveling entertainers and jugglers kept theatrical traditions alive
Medieval theatre
-ran by the church for teaching purposes
-pageant wagons:platformed stages adjacent to church
(audience stood in town square)
-mansions: small buildings on stage that indicated location
(action took place in front on the Platea)
-Sets were identical in concept for each productionn
-variety of stage mechanics
-trap doors
-rigging
-other realistic effects
Renaissance theatre
-completely indoors
-theatres were modeled after Greek and Romans
-forced perspective, raked stage, proscenium opening
-stock sets, painted drops
-Renaissance/ Jacobean/ Elizabethean
-large open air
-completely surrounded
-three story structures
-used trapdoors and some rigging
-not much scenery
-special effects included smoke, clouds, sound, music
-attempts at controlled lighting
-1650 to 1900
-more elaborate scenery (still just background not
environment)
-wings and borders
-raked stage
-proscenium theatres firmly established as norm
-more complex attempts at lighting control
20th century
-revolution in scenery; scenery becomes environment not just
background. Set design becomes an individual art within
“theatre arts”
-”Little Theatre Movement” leads to found spaces
-found spaces lead to other theatre arrangements
-Arena
-Thrust
-environmental theatre
-Electricity and light bulb gives even greater control of lighting
-with invention of dimmers, lighting design takes off
-ability to replay recorded sound gives way to sound design
Proscenium Theatre
-proscenium arch
-apron
-wings
-stage
-fly system
-fly rail
-fly loft
-auditorium
-modified thrust
Stage directions
Center Stage
Upstage
Downstage
Stage right
Stage left
Upstage Right
Upstage Left
Downstage Right
Downstage Left
Proscenium -Stage Drapes/ Masking
-grand drape (main rag)
-grand valance (grand teaser, Main border)
-false proscenium
-teasers
-tormentors
-borders
-legs
-scrim
-cyclorama
-travelers (mid-stage, upstage)
-full stage backdrops or full stage blacks
-painted drops
-side tabs
Arena Stage
Arena Stage:
-action has to play to play to all sides
-Stage directions are usually appointed ahead of time. Usually a physical part of
theatre is chosen to represent Down Stage or the Plaster line.
-very little scenery
-furniture, props, costumes, and scenery must be well done and finished*.
-vomitories
-ability for audience members to see each other ‘s faces is considered an attribute. It is
often a part of the directing process.
-scene changes are normally quick
-lighting and costumes take on greater role in absence of major scenery.
Thrust Stage:
-action has to play to play to three sides
-more scenery than arena stages, but still limited
-furniture, props, costumes, and scenery must be well
done and finished*.
-vomitories
-ability for audience members to see each other ‘s faces
is considered an attribute. It is often a part of the
directing process.
-back wall and side masking allows for more complex
scene changes than
Black box (flexible space)
-
Found spaces
Performance production process terms.
-audition
-call backs
-casting
-read through
-run through
-spacing rehearsal
-tech rehearsals
-dress rehearsals
-previews
-opening night
-the run
-closing night
-strike
For tech:
Design deadline
Build period
-hang and focus
-load in
-strike
Other terms
-plaster line and center line
-sight lines
-blocking
-entrance and exit
-aside
-m0nologue
-soliloquy
-upstaging
-cue
-flat
-platform
-wagon
-trap
-revolve
-masking
-objective
-notes
-production meetings
-design meetings
-on stage/ off stage
-electics
Other terms
-electrics
-find your light
-project
-cheat out
-hang and focus
-load in
-strike
-rake
-