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    Theater Stages Doc 1

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    Keelah Benn
    There are several common types of theatre stages and auditoria. Proscenium stages have a framed arch opening with a deep stage and sometimes balcony seating. Thrust stages project into the audience on three sides for increased intimacy. Theatres in-the-round have performance space enclosed by seating on all sides. Arena theatres are large with tiered seating surrounding a central rectangular stage.

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    Theater Stages Doc 1

    Uploaded by

    Keelah Benn
    34 views7 pages
    There are several common types of theatre stages and auditoria. Proscenium stages have a framed arch opening with a deep stage and sometimes balcony seating. Thrust stages project into the audience on three sides for increased intimacy. Theatres in-the-round have performance space enclosed by seating on all sides. Arena theatres are large with tiered seating surrounding a central rectangular stage.

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    Theater Stages doc 1

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    There are several common types of theatre stages and auditoria. Proscenium stages have a framed arch opening with a deep stage and sometimes balcony seating. Thrust stages project into the audience on three sides for increased intimacy. Theatres in-the-round have performance space enclosed by seating on all sides. Arena theatres are large with tiered seating surrounding a central rectangular stage.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    34 views7 pages

    Theater Stages Doc 1

    Uploaded by

    Keelah Benn
    There are several common types of theatre stages and auditoria. Proscenium stages have a framed arch opening with a deep stage and sometimes balcony seating. Thrust stages project into the audience on three sides for increased intimacy. Theatres in-the-round have performance space enclosed by seating on all sides. Arena theatres are large with tiered seating surrounding a central rectangular stage.

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    What are the types of

    theatre stages and


    auditoria?
    Theatres have evolved with different internal layouts
    according to the types of productions presented there.
    The most common types of stage arrangements are
    listed below.

    Proscenium stages
    Proscenium stages have an architectural frame, known as the proscenium arch,
    although not always arched in shape. Their stages are deep and sometimes
    raked, meaning the stage is gently sloped rising away from the audience.
    Sometimes the front of the stage extends past the proscenium into the
    auditorium. This is known as an apron or forestage. Theatres containing
    proscenium stages are known as proscenium arch theatres and often include an
    orchestra pit for live music and a fly tower for the movement of scenery and
    lighting.
    The proscenium arch at Sheffield Lyceum.

    Thrust stages
    As the name suggests, these project or ‘thrust’ into the auditorium with the
    audience sitting on three sides. The thrust stage area itself is not always square
    but may be semi-circular or half a polygon with any number of sides. Such
    stages are often used to increase intimacy between actors and the audience.
    The thrust stage at the Gulbenkian, University of Kent.

    Theatres in-the-round
    These have a central performance area enclosed by the audience on all sides.
    The arrangement is rarely ‘round’: more usually the seating is in a square or
    polygonal formation. The actors enter through aisles or vomitories between the
    seating. Scenery is minimal and carefully positioned to ensure it does not
    obstruct the audience’s view.
    In-the-round auditorium at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough.

    Arena theatres
    Arena theatres are large scale auditoria and have a central stage area with
    audiences on all sides, similar to theatres in-the-round. The stage area is usually
    rectangular, more like a sports arena, with tiered seating.

    Black-box or studio theatres


    These are flexible performance spaces which when stripped to their basics are a
    single room painted black, the floor of the stage at the same level as the first
    audience row. Usually these spaces allow for the temporary setup of seating in a
    number of different configurations to enable a wide variety of productions to be
    presented.
    The Studio at the Questors Theatre, Ealing.

    Platform stages
    These usually consist of a raised rectangular platform at one end of a room.
    They can either have a level or raked sloping floor. The audience sit in rows
    facing the stage. Platform stages are often used in multi-purpose halls where
    theatre is only one of the space’s uses. Where the stage is open and without
    curtains, they are sometimes known as end stages or open stages.

    Hippodromes
    Hippodromes are similar to circuses and have a central circular arena
    surrounded by concentric tiered seating. Deep pits or low screens often separate
    the audience from the arena.

    Open air theatres


    These are outdoor theatres that do not have a roof, although sometimes parts of
    the stage or audience seating will be covered. These stages may make use of the
    natural light as it changes during the day, particularly sunset.

    The auditorium of Rutland Open Air Theatre.

    Site-specific theatre
    Site-specific theatre is usually performed in a non-traditional theatre space such
    as a pub, home or warehouse, often reflecting the history, atmosphere or
    experiences of a particular location.
    Promenade theatre
    This involves the audience moving from place to place following the actors and
    performance.

    Images: Ian Grundy, Theatres Trust.

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