stages

what is a transverse stage

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

advantages of a transverse stage

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

disadvantages of transverse stage

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

what is end on staging

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

advantages of end on staging

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

disadvantages of end on staging

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

what is a promenade theatre

when the audience stand and follow the actors through the performance

advantages of a promenade theatre

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

disadvantages of a promenade theatre

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

what is a site specific

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

what is staging configuration

a type of stage and audience arrangement

what is theatre in the round

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

advantages of theatre in the round

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

disadvantages if theatres in the round

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

what is the forth wall

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

what are backdrops

a large painted cloth hung as part of the scenery

what is sightline

the view of the audience

What is a proscenium arch?

stage behind the arch

advantages of proscenium 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

disadvantages of proscenium arch

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

What is an apron stage?

the area of the stage nearest to the audience

What is the fly space?

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

what is wing space

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

what is audience interaction

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

what is a box set

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

What is a thrust stage?

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

Advantages of thrust stage

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

disadvantages of a thrust 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

what is a black box theatre

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

strengths of black box theatre

• 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.

limitations of black box theatre

• 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.

what is a composite set

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

what is truck scenery

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

what is revolve in theatre

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.

what is flown scenery

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

what is a cyclorama

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.

what is parcan

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

what is fresnel

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

what is a berdie

a lantern based on ground level

what is a spotlight

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

what is a gel

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

what are lighting levels

represents the amount of light that is measured on a surface

what is a transition

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.

what are the types of lighting transitions

crossfade and snape

what do angles of beams mean

the measurement of the light's distribution

what is a cyclorama in terms of projections

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

what is a gobo

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

what are the sound terms that may occur in theatre

• recorded sound

• volume

• pitch

• tempo

• reverb

• fade

• surrounded sound

• duration

• speed

what is a reverb in sound

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

what is surround sound

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