Drama IGCSE - Staging Terms

Proscenium Arch

• audience can be far from stage → difficult to see and hear performance

• helps to create a fourth wall → appropriate for naturalistic production

Thrust Stage

• greater intimacy between audience and performer than proscenium → retains the use of a backstage area

• Sightlines for extreme ends may be limited or obstructed.

Promenade

• work well when locations suit the work presented → interesting experience for audience

• Moving between locations → break the tension of the piece + take some time

In the round

• intimate + exciting atmosphere → audience feel included

• Sight lines can be tricky

Traverse

• The audience on sides clearly see what happens sides → audience can see each other → creates intimacy

• opposing sides of audience might see two different shows + sight lines are issue.