TYPES OF STAGE
– Proscenium stage:
A proscenium it can be said that it’s a “window” that frames the play taking place on the stage. This type of stage, 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 arrangement also simplifies the hiding and obscuring of objects from the audience’s view (sets,
performers not currently performing, and theatre technology). Anything that is not meant to be seen is simply placed
outside the “window” created by the proscenium arch, either in the wings or in the fly space above the stage.
– Thrust theatre stage:
A thrust theatre stage is known by its arrangement which consists of being surrounded by audience on three sides. The
Fourth side serves as the background.
Often the playing area is of square or rectangular shape, usually raised and surrounded by raked seating.
Arena Theatre:
An Arena stage is characterized by a central stage surrounded by audience on all sides. The stage area is also often raised
to improve sightlines.
Profile Theatres:
These type of theatres are usually used in existing or “found space” theatres, for example converted from the original
space usage.
The Audience is often placed on risers to either side of the playing space, with little or no audience on either end of the
“stage”. Actors are staged in profile to the audience. It is often the most workable option for long, narrow spaces.
Scenically, is most like the arena stage; some background staging possible at ends, which are essentially sides. A nontheatrical form of the profile stage is the basketball arena, if no-one is seated behind the hoops.
basketball “stage”
without the seating areas at the two ends.
Sports Arenas:
Sports arenas often serve as spaces for Music Concerts or plays. In terms of form it can be said that they resemble an arena
stage but larger and often rectangular in plan. When used for concert, a temporary stage area is set up as an end stage at
one end of the floor (stage), and the rest of the floor and the stands become the auditorium.
An Arena is designed for sport events. Setting it up for a concert or a play means to insert a new type of program into an
existing space designed for a different type of program. Consequently a great ammount of consideration is required when
arranging the space for the new temporary program.
The stage is usually set up as an End Stage, or occasionally in the center as an “Arena” Stage.
sport arena
concert event scenario (02)