Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Space in the modern theatre

Audience
Seating

Audience
Seating
Backstage

Stage
Space
(4th Wall)

Stage

Stage

Audience Space

Proscenium:
Spectators watch action
through a picture frame

Audience
Seating

Audience
Seating

Arena:
Stage surrounded by
audience

Audience
Seating

Audience
Seating

Thrust:
Stage projects into
audience space audience
on 3 sides

Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Columned
Arches:
proskenium

Audience space:
Theatron

Stage house:
Skene

Playing space:
Orchestra

Greek Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Other terms to know!

Remember!!!
Much of what we know about the Greeks is
an educated guess!!!

Greek Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Other terms to know!

Paraskenia: long, high walls that extended on either side of
and parallel with the skene
Eccyclema: A wheeled platform used in a variety of ways
revelation of dead bodies
Periaktoi: (4th c. B.C.) tall, 3-sided forms that rotated on a
central pivot most likely each side painted to fit a different
scene
Pinakes: Painted panels much like modern flats
Greek Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Scene house:
Scaenae fons

Audience
Space:
Cavea

Roman Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Other terms to know!

Velum: An awning that covered the seating area in some
theatres
Periaktoi: Still in use but now painted three ways: comic,
tragic, & satiric
Auleum: A front curtain was lowered into a slot or trough in the
floor
Siparium: A curtain hung at the back of the stage much like a
backdrop
Evidence points to complex scenery such as traps and moving
pieces that filled the spectacles of ancient Rome!
Roman Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Church dramas & traveling stages

All follow the conventions
of the church
Small buildings
(mansions) depict
locations
Development of special
effects (secrets)
Pageant wagons
Medieval Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Mansion

Heaven

Platea

Hell
Medieval Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Theatres patterned after classical models

Theatre moves
indoors!
Interest in scenic
design
Key characteristics:
Raked stage
Use of forced
perspective
Stock sets
Painted drops
Lit by candlelight

Blame
Vitruvius
hes the one
who wrote
about the
classics!

Teatro Olympico in Vicenza, Italy

1500-1650 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

The Renaissance in England

Shakespeares theatre The Globe

Partial covering for the audience
and players
Thrust configuration
Very little scenery
Some use of props

1500-1650 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Inner above
Inner below

Gallery

Pit
Stage
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Lighting in the Renaissance

Candle-lit chandeliers over stage and auditorium

Early 1600s addition of reflectors
Introduction of footlights
Vertical rows of lamps hidden in the wings

1500-1650 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Spread of interest in the

spectacle

The Restoration Stage

Standardization of stage
designs / architecture
Apron performance space
Painted perspective drops,
wings, & borders
Interior sets
Multi-tiered boxes: Nobility
Galleries: Wealthy
Pit: Everyone else

1650-1900 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

The influence of Kabuki

Kabuki emerges in 1603
Originally performed outdoors
Moves indoors in 1724
Stage technology advances:
Elevator traps
Elevator stages
Revolving stages
Concentric revolving stages

1650-1900 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

1783 Argang oil lamp

1792 Beginning of gas lighting (William Murdoch)
Brighter & cleaner than oil/candles
Intensity was easily controlled
Flexible distribution systems

Lighting
in the
Restoration

1816 Limelight (Thomas Drummond)

The 1st spotlight

1st electric light = carbon arc

By 1860 Paris Opera House had a projector, a followspot, and some
lighting effects (all carbon arc)
1879 Thomas Edison & the incandescent lamp
By 1900 Theatres convert to electric light

1650-1900 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

A change in the world

With the emergence of realism comes a new style of theatre
Sets become environments for drama not backgrounds!
The apron shrinks
Stage space becomes more confined
Audience space only faces the stage
Movements form and dissolve quickly
Shift to found spaces for performances
20th century Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology

Technological innovations
Refinements to the incandescent light
Development of various lighting fixtures / instruments
Introduction of dimmers in the late 1940s
Digital controls introduced in the 1980s
Recorded sound introduced in the 1930s / 1940s
Computers and technology invade the theatres in early 1980s
20th century Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production