Types of Theater

Spaces
…& their functions

Created by:
Christian Rios
List of Basic Types:

• Proscenium
• Thrust stage
• Theatre in the Round
• Black Box Theater
Proscenium
• Theater space whose primary
feature is a large frame or arch
(called the proscenium arch
even though it is frequently not
a rounded archway at all),
which is located at or near the
front of the stage.
• The audience directly
faces the stage, which is
typically raised several
feet above front row
audience level
• Originally Roman Theater
• Popular in the West.
 Characteristics:
• The proscenium arch evolved from the proskenium in
Ancient Greek theatres.
• The main stage is the space behind the proscenium
arch, often marked by a curtain which can be lowered or
drawn closed.
• The space in front of the curtain is called the "apron".
• The areas obscured by the proscenium arch and any
curtains serving the same purpose (often called legs or
tormentors) are called the wings.
• Any space not viewable to the audiences is collectively
referred to as offstage.
• Proscenium stages range in size from small enclosures
to several stories tall.
• Underneath and in front of the apron is sometimes an
orchestra pit which is used by musicians during
musicals and operas.

• Space above some proscenium stages may include a fly

loft where curtains, scenery, and battens supporting a
variety of lighting instruments may hang.

• Many theatrical properties and scenery may be utilized.

• Backdrops, curtains and lighting can be used to greater

effect without risk of rigging being visible to the audience.

• Entrances and exits can be made more gracefully.

 Functions:
• The orchestra pit may sometimes be covered and used as an
additional playing space in order to bring the actors closer to the
audience.

• The advantages are that it 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 layout also simplifies the hiding and obscuring

of objects from the audience's view.
 Dysfunctions:
• The downfall to a proscenium stage is that it is
difficult (though not impossible) to turn it into
something else.
 Proscenium: The Fourth Wall
• The side of the stage that faces the audience is
referred to as the "fourth wall".
• The phrase "breaking the proscenium" refers to
when a performer addresses the audience
directly as part of the dramatic production (is
also known as breaking the fourth wall).
• Phrase can also refer to when a member of the
cast or crew walks onto the stage or into the
house when there is an audience inside, also
breaking the fourth wall.
Thrust Stage
• Also known as a platform stage or
open stage
• Extends into the audience on three
sides and is connected to the
backstage area by its up stage end.
• Many of the works of
Shakespeare were first
performed on the thrust stage of
the Globe Theater and lend
themselves to such a stage
design in modern times as well.
 Characteristics:
• Entrances onto a thrust are most readily made
from backstage, although some theatres provide
for performers to enter through the audience
using vomitory entrances.
 Functions:
• A thrust has the benefit of greater intimacy
between performers and the audience than a
proscenium, while retaining the utility of a
backstage area.
• The audience may view the stage from three or
more sides.
• If a performance employs the ‘fourth wall’, that
imaginary wall must be maintained on multiple
sides.
 Dysfunctions:
• Because the audience can view the
performance from a variety of
perspectives; the blocking, props, and
scenery receive thorough consideration to
ensure that no perspective is blocked from
view.
Theatre in the Round
• Also known as arena theatre.
• Any theatre space in which the
audience surrounds the stage
area.
• In 1947, Margo Jones
established America's first
professional theatre-in-the-
round company.
• Theatre-in-the-round was
common in ancient theatre,
particularly that of Greece and
Rome but was not widely
explored again until the latter
half of the 20th century; it has
continued as a creative
alternative to the more
common Proscenium format.
 Characteristics:
• Requires no stage curtain, little scenery and allows the
audience to sit on three sides of the stage.
• The stage itself in this arrangement is typically round,
diamond, or triangular, with actors entering and exiting
through the audience from different directions or from
below the stage.
 Functions:
• The characteristics lend itself to high-energy
productions, and is especially favored by
producers of classical theatre.
• Allows for interesting and realistic staging.
• The configuration is also commonly employed
when theatrical performances are presented in
non-traditional spaces such as restaurants,
public areas such as fairs or festivals, or street
theatre.
 Dysfunctions:
• Presents problems because actors at all times have their back facing some
members of the audience.
• Backdrops and curtains cannot be used, thus the director must find other
ways to set the scene.
• Entrances and exits must be made either through the audience,
making surprise entrances very difficult, or via closed-off
walkways, which must be inconspicuous. As a result, stage
entrances are normally in the corners of the theatre
• Special consideration needs to be taken in regard to the set design, so as
not to obscure any audience member's view of the performance.
Black Box Theater
• Also known as experimental
theatre.
• Recent. Consisting of a simple,
somewhat unadorned
performance space, usually a
large square room with black
walls and a flat floor.

• The concept of a building

designed for flexible staging
techniques can be attributed to
Swiss designer Adolphe
Appia, circa 1921, and
instigated a half century of
innovations in the relationship
between audience and
performers.
 Characteristics:
• Black box theaters became popular and
widespread particularly in the 1960s and 1970s,
during which low-cost experimental theater was
being actively practiced as never before.
• The seating is typically composed of loose chairs on platforms,
which can be easily moved or removed to allow the entire space to
be adapted to the artistic elements of a production. Common floor
plans include thrust stage, modified thrust stage, and arena.
 Functions:
• Since almost any warehouse or open space in any building can be
transformed into a black box, including abandoned cafés and stores,
the appeal for nonprofit and low-income artists is high.
• Such spaces are easily built and maintained, and are usually home
to plays or other performances with very basic technical
arrangements, such as limited sets, simple lighting effects, and an
intimate focus on the story, writing, and performances rather than
technical elements.
• The black box is also considered by many to be a place where more
"pure" theater can be explored, with the most human and least
technical elements being in focus.
• Colleges and other theater training programs
employ the black box theater because the space
is versatile and easy to change.
 Terms, Places,
People and Things to Know
• Proscenium • musicals
• Thrust stage • operas
• Theatre in the Round • breaking the fourth wall
• Black Box Theater • platform stage
• open stage
• proscenium arch
• Shakespeare
• Roman Theater
• Globe Theater
• Ancient Greek theatres • arena theatre
• wings • Margo Jones
• offstage • experimental theatre
• orchestra pit • Adolphe Appia,
• musicians
 Works Sited:
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theater
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_(theatre)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proscenium
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrust_stage
• http://www.scenography.co.uk/theatre-design-101/stages/thrust-stage2.php
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_in_the_round
• http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-101/stage-types-theatre-in-the-round/
• http://www.berkeleyrep.org/press/photos-buildings.asp
• http://wikiwiki.jp/jcdnmdfe/?plugin=ref&page=ORGANIZERS%A1%BFORGANIZATIONS&src=Aoyama.jpg
• http://www.jccc.edu/home/download/11935/black_box_pic.jpg