stages

the acting area is a long, central space with the audience seated either side facing each other

audience feels close to the stage good audience interaction the stage has many areas for acting

scenery or backdrops can block sightlines some blocking can be challenging due to the shape of the stage lighting needs to be arranged carefully

it is similar to a proscenium stage because it has the audience seated directly facing the stage, but it doesn't have a proscenium frame

the audience all have a similar view stage pictures are easy to create large backdrops can be used

audience in the back row can feel distant from the stage, it doesn't have the 'frame' of the proscenium arch, it doesn't have the wing and fly areas of a proscenium arch theatres

when the audience stand and follow the actors through the performance

it is very interactive and an exciting type of theatre where the audience can feel involved

the audience may feel that this is tiring the actors and crew need to be skilled around and controlling their focus there can be health and safety risks

a performance in a location such as a warehouse or park, which is not a conventional theatre

a type of stage and audience arrangement

a staging configuration where the audience is seated around the sides of the stage

directors and actors often find this dynamic because the audience is close to the stage the actors enter and exit through the audience making the audience feel more engaged

designers can't use backdrops because it obscures the audience's view actors have to be blocked so no section of the audience misses the action

an imaginary wall between the audience and the actors giving the impression that they are unaware of them being observed

a large painted cloth hung as part of the scenery

the view of the audience

stage behind the arch

stage pictures are easy to create backdrops and scenery can be used there may be fly space and wing space the arch adds to the affect of the forth wall

the audience may feel distant from the stage the auditorium could feel formal and rigid audience interaction may be difficult

the area of the stage nearest to the audience

area above the stage where the scenery may be stored and lowered to the stage

area to the side of the stage where props can be stored

involving the audience in the play (e.g. bringing the audience onstage)

a set with three complete walls, normally to create a naturalistic design

a theatre stage that extends out into the audience's part of a theatre and has seats on three sides

scenery and backdrops can be used the audience can feel close to the stage

sightlines may be limited or obstructed the audience on the left and right have each other in the line of view box sets cannot be moved and it would obstruct the view

A black box theater is a simple performance space, typically a square room with black walls and a flat floor

• The simplicity of the space allows it to be used to create a variety of configurations of stage and audience interaction.

• It's easy to transport the audience somewhere else even with the limited use of effects.

• May be frustrating if too many options.

• Must be lit from above.

• The actors could feel intimidated.

• The audience can see everything - even during blackouts.

A stage setting where several locations are represented in the same space and isolated or highlighted by lighting each area separately.

Wheeled platform on which a scene or part of a scene is built to facilitate scene changing

a round floor or turntable within the stage floor that spins around a central pivot point, driven by a motor and controlled by an automation operator.

scenery of a kind that is designed to be, or capable of being, lifted above the stage floor by means of lines run from a grid

a large piece of fabric situated at the back of the stage which when lit correctly is used to represent the sky or open space.

a lantern with clearly defined edges to the beam of light. Good for illuminating a single person or event

a lantern with the softer edges to the beam of light. It offers more control over the angle of the beam than a floodlight

a lantern based on ground level

lamp projecting a narrow, intense beam of light directly on to a place or person, especially a performer on stage.

a transparent colored material that is used in theater to create different colours on stage

represents the amount of light that is measured on a surface

the movement between different lighting states. This might occur through a crossfade , where one lighting state fades into the next. The opposite of a fade is a snap , where one lighting state moves immediately into the next.

crossfade and snape

the measurement of the light's distribution

a large curtain or wall, often concave, positioned at the back of the apse. It often encircles or partially encloses the stage to form a background, that often has a projection on

a small stencilled circular disc, and used in lighting fixtures to create a projected image or pattern

• recorded sound

• volume

• pitch

• tempo

• reverb

• fade

• surrounded sound

• duration

• speed

when a sound occurs in a space, sending sound waves out in all directions.

multiple audio channels from speakers that surround the listener that enrich the quality of sound