Theatre Notes: Key Concepts, Spaces, and Etiquette

Theater vs. Theatre

  • The transcript distinguishes spelling and meaning: "Theatre" is the art form; "Theater" is the building where the art is performed.
  • This reflects the common distinction taught in theatre studies: theatre as the discipline and practice, and theatre as the physical venue.

What is Theatre? Definition

  • Theatre is a form of artistic expression that brings characters and stories to life and is presented to an audience.
  • Emphasizes live performance and storytelling intended for viewers.

Purpose

  • Core purposes of theatre include:
    • entertain
    • communicate a story
    • bring light to something ( illuminate ideas or issues )
    • reflect human nature
    • pass on tradition and/or culture

Types of Theatre

  • Theatrical Production is any work of theatre.
  • Theatrical productions extend to other performance designations such as
    • Dramatic theatre
    • Nondramatic theatre
    • Dance theatre

Theatrical Forms (examples)

  • Musical Theatre: a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance.
  • Mime Theatre (aka Pantomime): relies on physical gestures and facial expressions rather than spoken words to tell a story or convey a message.
  • Solo Theatre: a form in which a single actor performs an entire play or performance piece on their own, without other actors on stage.
  • Dramatic Theatre: focuses on dramatic storytelling through spoken dialogue and physical action.
  • Historic Plays: often explore significant moments in history, providing insight into culture, values, and beliefs of people from different times and places.

Origins and History

  • Ancient Theatre: part of religious festivals; plays were performed in open-air amphitheaters.
  • Theatre as we know it originated from the ancient Greeks.
  • There is evidence that elements of theatre go back at least as far as the Mayans.
  • Question posed: When did it originate? (Shorthand note: Greeks are a clear origin point; earlier precursors exist in other cultures.)

Types of Theatre Spaces

  • Proscenium: The most common type; like a picture frame; the fourth wall; curtains hide the stage before and after the show; audience sits in front of the stage.
  • Arena (In The Round): The audience sits all around; actors enter/exit from aisles or tunnels under the audience.
  • Thrust Stage: The audience sits on two or three sides; the acting area projects into the audience; actors enter/exit through the audience and through doors in the rear wall.
  • Black Box: A rectangular room typically painted black; designed for flexible stage configurations; suited for small performances.

The Spaces of a Theater

  • The Lobby: Area where the audience gathers before, during intermission, and after performances; includes restrooms, concession stands, and the box office.
  • The House: The area where the audience sits.
  • The Booth: Where lighting and sound control boards are located; usually above the audience in the rear of the house.
  • The Stage House: Area including the stage and the fly space above (where scenery and lights are suspended on ropes or flown).
  • Proscenium Arch: The frame through which scenery and action are viewed.
  • Grand Drape: The front curtain, typically luxurious fabric in deep colors.
  • Apron: An acting area that extends forward beyond the arch on a proscenium stage.
  • Back Wall: Separates the stage house from the backstage area.
  • Backstage: All areas other than the stage, house, and lobby (dressing rooms, makeup rooms, green room).
  • Green Room: A lounge where actors wait offstage or greet audience members after performances.
  • Call Board: Bulletin board for rehearsal times, performance changes, and notices.

The Spaces of a Theater (continued)

  • Areas on a Stage (orientation and movement):
    • Backstage, Up, Up, Up, Right, Center, Left, Feel (note: diagrammatic directions indicate circulation and blocking)
    • Right, Left, Center, Offstage, Center, Center, Offstage, Right, Left, Curtain, Line, Down, Down, Down, Right, Center, Left
    • Apron, Audience

Stage Directions and Notation

  • Common directional terms used on stage include:
    • Downstage: closest to the audience
    • Upstage: furthest from the audience
    • Stage Left / Stage Right: from the actor’s perspective (facing the audience)
  • Renaissance note: Why are down/up and up/down oriented this way? (Raked stages used in the Renaissance made upstage higher than downstage, creating a tilt toward the audience.)

Special: Body Positions

  • Common on-stage body positions include:
    • Full Front
    • Full Back
    • 3/4 Front (3/4 Right, 3/4 Left)
    • 1/4 Right / 1/4 Left
    • Profile (side view), Left or Right
    • Upstage / Downstage indicators
  • These positions help define how a performer is oriented to the audience and other actors.

Performer Etiquette (Theatre Etiquette for Performers)

  • Be on time for everything; never miss a cue.
  • Be quiet backstage; have courtesy for other performers.
  • Follow directions and listen to the director.
  • Be courteous to technicians; respect their work.
  • Take care of costumes and makeup; clean makeup room even if not your fault.
  • Leave personal problems at the door; maintain personal hygiene.
  • Use constructive criticism; bring something new to each rehearsal; push to expand skills.
  • Encourage others; have lines memorized before deadline.
  • Pay attention to rehearsals even when not onstage.
  • Do not overestimate your own greatness; you can’t improve if you think you’re already the best.
  • Be prepared, mentally and physically, for rehearsals and performances.
  • Don’t pick up props you don’t use; don’t chew gum on stage; never eat or drink in costume.
  • Never take food or drink in dressing rooms; set a positive example for others.
  • Don’t let the audience see you in costume before the show.
  • Be prepared for auditions; know what is expected; be helpful to younger performers.
  • Leave every object or action in better condition than you found it; love the art in yourself, not just yourself in the art.

Audience Etiquette

  • Be early for curtain; if late, sit in the back quietly and discreetly.
  • Be courteous to those around you; they paid too.
  • Applaud at appropriate times; do not yell names during a performance.
  • Follow facility rules.
  • Congratulate performers afterward; they will appreciate it.
  • Do not use flash photography; do not talk during the performance.
  • Do not place feet on the backs of chairs; do not leave during the show.
  • Remove hats inside the theatre; keep comments constructive and tactful.
  • Learn from each performance; reflect on the experience to improve future viewing and understanding.

Group Etiquette Activity (as described in the transcript)

  • Two groups assignment:
    • Create a bad performer etiquette scene and a good performer etiquette scene (2–3 minutes each); demonstrate and explain why performer etiquette is necessary.
    • Create a bad audience etiquette scene and a good audience etiquette scene (2–3 minutes each); demonstrate and explain why audience etiquette is necessary.

Miscellaneous Notes and Reminders

  • Some items reference a Crash Course Theater video (What is Theatre?). The transcript mentions a YouTube link and a video title; the video content is captured as a supplementary reference.
  • The material includes a mix of definitions, descriptions of spaces, practical etiquette, and examples intended for study and rehearsal preparation.
  • Throughout, note the distinction between terms that refer to the form (theatre) and the venue (theater), and how each concept is applied in practice.