Chapter 1: Introduction

1
Chapter 1 Introduction

• Imagination is the key!

2
Parts of the Theatre

• Acting Area
• The primary part of the theatre required to
  present a theatre experience.
• Auditorium
• The secondary part of a theatre that provides
  safety and comfort for the audience members.
• Scenic Background
• Optional for theatres, this can be a curtain, a
  painting, or a natural background.

3
Types of Theatres
Proscenium Theatre
4
Types of Theatres

• Proscenium Stage
• Created during the Renaissance
• Sometimes called a Picture Frame Stage
• Dominant form of theatre for live audiences
• Called a proscenium because of the proscenium
  arch.
• In true proscenium theatre all presentations take
  place behind the curtain line, also called the
  Fourth Wall

5
Types of Theatres
Thrust Stage
6
Types of Theatres

• Thrust Stage
• Audience is on 3 sides of the stage.
• Brings actors closer to the audience
• Very similar to Elizabethan stages
• Limits scenery because of the lack of a fly
  space.
• Sightlines reduce usable acting area and limit
  scenery
• Allows for challenging and creative space for
  directors.

7
Types of Theatres
Theatre-in-the-Round Stage
8
Types of Theatres

• Theatre-In-The-Round Stage
• Also called Arena Stage Circle Staging or
  Center Staging
• Stage is completely surrounded by audience
  members
• Gives the stage back to the actors
• Stage directions are different from all other
  stages, they are taken from a clock face

9
Types of Theatres
Greek Theatre
Roman Theatre
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Types of Theatres

• Three-Quarter and Half-Round Stage
• These theatres are categorized by the quarters of
  degrees the stage is surrounded by audience
  members
• Terms gained from Greek Theatres
• Orchestra
• Parados
• Thymele
• Scene Building
• Paraskene
• Proscenium
• Eccyclema
• Dues-ex-machia (God of Machine)

11
Types of Theatres
Black Box Theatre
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Types of Theatres

• Black Box Theatre
• Flexible Staging
• Provides infinite staging possibilities
• Scenery still limited due to lack of fly system
• Excellent for contemporary plays
• Brings audience into the show

13
Stage Terminology
14
Stage Terminology
15
Stage Curtains