Receiving Helpdesk

theatre stage areas

by Dr. Rodger Batz Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

  • Upstage: The area of the stage furthest from the audience.
  • Downstage: The area of the stage closest to the audience.
  • Stage Left: The area of the stage to the performer's left, when facing downstage (i.e. towards the audience).
  • Stage Right: The area of the stage to the performer's right, when facing downstage (i.e. towards the audience).
  • Center Stage: The center of the playing (performance) area.
  • Center Line: An imaginary reference line on the playing area that indicates the exact center of the stage, travelling from up to downstage. That is why it is called so
  • Onstage: The portion of the playing area visible to the audience.
  • Offstage: The area surrounding the playing space not visible to the audience. ...

What is the stage area in theatre called?

Originally, a lower section between the front of the stage and the audience, although now describes any area around the stage housing the musicians. The term was used in the Globe Theatre in London for the lower area immediately in front of the stage where the 'groundlings' watched the performance. This area was also known as the YARD.

What are the different types of theatre stages?

The four main types of stages are: Six other similar yet distinct stages include: Keep in mind that many of these examples can be configured for multiple purposes in addition to theatrical shows, such as concerts and speaking engagements. 1. Found Stage A found stage is one of the simplest stages available.

What are the facilities in a theatre?

Most theatres will have: a café or bar where drinks and food may be purchased before the performance and during the interval, toilets which are an essential element of all theatres to keep patrons comfortable, and a cloakroom to leave bags and coats in.

What are the different levels of seating in a theatre?

The seating may be at one or more levels depending on the size and type of theatre. The first level of seating directly in front of the stage, generally starting below stage level and slowly rising as it reaches the back of the auditorium, is known as the stalls.

What are stage areas in theatre?

Lesson ContentCenter Stage. The area that's exactly in the middle of the acting area on the stage.Downstage. The area of the stage that's closer to the audience. ... Upstage. The area of the stage that's farthest away from the audience. ... Stage Left/Stage Right. The areas of the stage that are to the actor's left and right.

What are the 9 areas of the stage?

Also known as Proscenium Staging. The end-on stage can be split into 9 areas: upstage right, upstage centre, upstage left, centre stage right, centre stage, centre stage left, downstage right, downstage centre, downstage left.

What are the 5 area of acting?

5 Acting Techniques Every Actor Should KnowStanislavski Method. Konstantin Stanislavski developed this systematic training technique. ... Method Acting Technique. ... Meisner Technique. ... Chekhov Technique. ... Practical Aesthetics Acting Technique.

What are the four areas of a theatre?

Theatres are divided into two main sections, the house and the stage; there is also a backstage area in many theatres....Contents1 Types of theatres.2 Stage. 2.1 Stage directions or stage positions. 2.2 Stage components.3 House. 3.1 Front of house.4 Backstage or offstage.

What are the 6 areas of technical theatre?

The areas of technical theatre are scenery,lighting, properties,costuming,and sound. All of these areas work together in a production to establish the place, time period, and mood of the production. If successful the audience will not even notice many of the technical elements of the show.

What is a theatre seating area called?

auditoriumThe auditorium (also known as the house) is where the audience sits to watch the performance. The seating may be at one or more levels depending on the size and type of theatre.

What are the 8 stage positions?

There are eight basic body positions - or directions to face - for actors. (full back, 3/4 right, profile right, 1/4 right, full front, 1/4 left, profile left, 3/4 left) Remember that the Left and Right designations refer to the side of the stage the actor is facing, not to the side of his face we can see.

What are the stage positions?

All nine positions on stage are from the perspective of the performer....The four corners of the stage space combine both the right and the left with downstage and upstage, creating:downstage right.downstage left.upstage right.upstage left.

What are the 4 types of stages?

The four main types of stages are:Found stages.Proscenium stages.Thrust stages.Arena stages.

What are the 3 main sections of seating in the theater?

Understanding the Theatre's Layout Take a look at the Seating chart below. The three primary seating sections in a Broadway Theatre are: The Orchestra (green section), The Mezzanine (in blue), and The Balcony (purple). Let's break down each section…

What are the sides of a stage called?

The proscenium, in conjunction with stage curtains called legs, conceals the sides of the stage, which are known as the wings. The wings may be used by theatre personnel during performances and as storage spaces for scenery and theatrical properties.

What are the wings of a stage?

For example, in a theater, the wings are the hidden areas to the left and right of the stage. This is where actors wait before they make an appearance. So, an actor waiting in the wings is standing off-stage, waiting to perform. The wings are to the right and left of the stage.

What is the center stage?

Center (or center stage) is the area right in the middle of the stage, halfway between furthest upstage and downstage. Off or offstage is the area backstage, not included in the playing area. The playing area is considered on or onstage.

Why do theatre designers build stage on rakes?

In order to remedy sightline issues, theatre designers build the stage on a rake, or slope.

What is the difference between stage right and stage left?

Stage right and stage left (or, simply, right and left) are from the constant perspective of an actor standing on stage, facing the audience.

What is the Proscenium Stage?

The Proscenium Stage can be divided up into areas. Communication between performers, directors, designers, and technicians needs to be clear, so it is important for all students of theatre to use proper theatre vocabulary when describing where on stage an actor or object is. The area closest to the audience is considered downstage while ...

What is a theatre?

Theatres are complex buildings, made up of many elements, which need to be planned carefully. Today there are many different types of theatre building but they will all contain some of the elements listed below.

What is the first level of seating in front of the stage?

The first level of seating directly in front of the stage, generally starting below stage level and slowly rising as it reaches the back of the auditorium, is known as the stalls. The rear of the stalls may be overhung by a balcony with further tiered seating commonly known as the dress circle or grand circle.

What is the proscenium arch?

Many British theatres contain a proscenium arch which is the frame around the stage, dividing the auditorium from the backstage areas. It is also the name for the type of theatre that has this frame in it. A proscenium arch theatre is what many people think of as a traditional theatre space which developed from the Victorian trend of wanting to view a production through an ornate picture frame. It will contain two curtains, one of cloth which generally lowers from above the arch backstage to hide the set until the performance begins. This is known as the house curtain. A metal curtain known as the iron or safety curtain is a fire safety device used to separate the auditorium and stage in the event of a fire.

What is the curtain in the auditorium called?

This is known as the house curtain. A metal curtain known as the iron or safety curtain is a fire safety device used to separate the auditorium and stage in the event of a fire.

How many balconies are there in a theatre?

Some theatres will have further balconies and boxes above the first balcony, but rarely more than three balconies in total. The second balcony is known as the upper circle and the top level of seating is known as the gallery or the gods.

What is the stage in a proscenium?

The stage is the area where the performance takes place. In a proscenium arch theatre the stage usually projects in front of the arch itself. This area is known as the apron or forestage. Immediately in front of the stage, or sometimes partly underneath the apron, is the orchestra pit, a sunken area from which the orchestra plays.

What are the spaces backstage?

Other spaces backstage include spaces for crew and performers to prepare or relax before or during a performance. Dressing rooms are where performers dress and get ready for the show. Dressing room mirrors have lights that surround them to simulate the lighting conditions on stage. The green room is a space where performers and crew can eat or relax. There might be a separate band room, for the members of the band/orchestra to wait when they are not required in the orchestra pit. Some theatres will have a rehearsal room where performers can warm up before performances or rehearse as a company during both the rehearsal and performance periods.

The Stage

The parts of a stage that are visible to an audience are generally called the ''proscenium,'' though this term is more broadly applicable in box set theatres. If audience members can see an actor, a prop, or a set piece, for instance, then those people and objects are located in the proscenium. The major parts of a theatre stage are:

Backstage Areas

The parts of the stage that audiences see are just a small portion of the areas that actually make up a theatre. Backstage areas are places where only actors and crew members go. They include:

Front of House

The term ''front of house'' refers to the areas at the entrance to the theatre and in the audience. Unlike the stage, front of house areas are not generally part of the world of the play; they are intended for the audience to experience them. They include:

What is the center stage?

When in the center stage zone, right or left may be referred to simply as stage right and stage left, with only the very middle of the stage being referred to as center stage . If the stage has been divided into 15 sections instead of nine, there will be a "left-center" and "right-center" in each section, for five possible locations in each ...

What is the front of the stage called?

The front of the stage, called downstage, is the end closest to the audience. The rear of the stage, called upstage, is behind the actor's back, furthest from the audience.

What is the purpose of stage directions?

Stage directions serve many functions, but their primary purpose is to guide actors' movements on the stage, called blocking . These notations in the script, written by the playwright and set aside with brackets, tell the actors where to sit, stand, move about, enter, and exit. Stage directions also can be used to tell an actor how to shape his ...

What is the difference between stage directions and stage left?

Stage directions are written from the perspective of the actor facing the audience. An actor who turns to his or her right is moving stage right, while an actor who turns to his or her left is moving stage left.

How many zones are there in a stage?

From the rear of the stage to the audience, there are three zones: upstage, center stage, and downstage. These are each divided into three or five sections, depending on the size. If just three sections, there will be a center, left, and right in each. When in the center stage zone, right or left may be referred to simply as stage right ...

How does it take time for a character to become natural?

It takes time for a character's habits, sensibilities, and gestures to become natural, especially when they have been decided by someone else. Achieving this means lots of rehearsal time both alone and with other actors, as well as being willing to try different approaches when you hit a roadblock.

What is a small studio theatre?

A kind of flexible small studio theatre where the audience and actors are in the same room, surrounded by black tabs (curtains). Doesn't necessarily describe the audience layout, which can be easily reconfigured.The stage can be defined by a change of flooring (e.g. black dance floor), or a raised platform.

What is the backstage of a stage?

BACKSTAGE. The part of the stage and theatre which is out of the sight of the audience. The service areas of the theatre, behind, beside or underneath the stage. Also refers to the personnel who work in the technical departments that work to create the performance, alongside the actors and musicians. BALCONY.

What is the front of house in a theatre?

FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH) 1) Every part of the theatre in front of the proscenium arch. Includes foyer areas open to the general public. 2) All lanterns which are on the audience side of the proscenium and are focussed towards the stage. The backstage areas of the theatre are known as Rear of House (ROH).

What is an apron stage extension?

Also known as Forestage. If an apron stage extension is added to an existing traditional proscenium arch theatre, this often results in poor sight lines from seats that are higher in the auditorium, leading to audience members having to lean forward in an attempt to see. German: vorbühne (literally, forestage). ARENA.

What is the apron in theatre?

APRON. The Apron is a section of the stage floor which projects towards or into the auditorium. In proscenium theatres, it's the part of the stage in front of the house tabs, or in front of the proscenium arch, above the orchestra pit. Also known as Forestage.

Where is the lake in Phantom of the Opera?

Most widely known now in reference to the tunnels and cellars underneath the Paris Opera House, in The Phantom of the Opera. The theatre by which the musical was inspired, the Palais Garnier, has an underground lake which inspired the original story of the Phantom of the Opera.

What are the different types of stage?

You may be surprised at just how many types of stages there are. While most of these setups are designed for interiors, there are a few types of theater stages that are ideal for exterior settings. Generally, performance stages can be divided into a handful of categories. Let’s take a moment to define ten specific stages and theater types to help determine which would best fit your unique performance needs. The four main types of stages are: 1 Found stages 2 Proscenium stages 3 Thrust stages 4 Arena stages

Where is the platform stage located?

In most cases, a platform stage is simply a raised platform located at the end of a room facing an audience. You can usually tell the difference between a platform stage and another type of stage due to its location. Platform stages are traditionally located in areas that are not primarily used as theaters. This could include multipurpose spaces in event halls, churches, colleges and more.

How are the end stage and thrust stage similar?

The end stage and the thrust stage are very similar. Both are typically square or rectangular, but could be of varying shapes. While the end stage has the audience only on one side of the stage, the thrust stage features audience members on three sides of the stage. This is because the stage thrusts out past the proscenium and into the audience. The size of the thrust stage could encompass the entire stage or essentially a large extension of the forestage or apron.

What is an end stage in a proscenium?

The audience is faced in a single direction and is usually rectangular or square in shape. A proscenium arch theater can feature an end stage, but that doesn’t mean all end stages are within proscenium theaters. End stages do not need to be limited to a square or rectangular design.

What is flexible theater?

The flexible theater allows the creative team to design both the stage and audience setup to their specific desires.

What is the most recognizable stage in the world?

2. Proscenium Stage. Of all the different types of theater stages, the proscenium stage is perhaps the most readily recognizable. Though many may not know it by name, this stage’s iconic design immediately comes to mind when you envision a stage.

What is the difference between an end stage and a thrust stage?

An end on stage has audiences on a single side, a thrust stage has audiences on three sides and an arena stage features audiences on all four sides. These types of stages are used when no background is required and when the audience needs to engage with the performance from all sides.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9