Drama 1101 1st Edition Lecture 2 Outline of Last Lecture I Why do we study theatre II What is theatre III Ancient Origins IV Theatre as a place a company an occupation an art and as a performance V Paradox of the actor VI Theatre v Rituals VII Theatre v Sports Outline of Current Lecture I Theatrical spaces a Amphitheaters b Proscenium c Thrust Stage d Arena Stage e Black Box Stage Current Lecture 1 Different theatrical spaces have different scenic elements 2 Amphitheaters a Outdoor theatres b Example ancient Greece and Rome 3 Proscenium These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute a A K A The picture frame stage i Because it is as if you are looking at a picture of real life b Large enough to accommodate the most realistic set and special effects i Theatre wings allow for different scenic elements to be hidden from the audience offstage in order to have changeable scenery ii Fly Space 1 Allow for props and actors to come in from above through rigging ropes iii Elevators 1 Allow for things to emerge from below the stage c Audience is seated right in front of the stage i Easier for directors and actors to be aware of the audience and tailor their performance towards them d Proscenium stage s utilization of Box Set i A kind of design in which there are walls ii Very detailed lots of depth and ceilings iii Typically only used on Proscenium stages because it requires an audience that is directly in front of them e Advantages and disadvantages of prosceniums i Advantages 1 Large space makes for intricate set designs 2 Offers the greatest potential and flexibility for scenic design a Paradoxically since the audience is only seeing a performance from one side it may appear to have more detail but may actually only have to use props and designs that look detailed from one angle ii Disadvantages 1 Some audience members have a poorer experience because of the arrangement of seats a People in the back may experience a flattening or 2dimensional effect because they cannot see or hear as well i Alienating 4 Thrust Stage a Audience sits surrounding the stage on three sides b Advantages and disadvantages of thrust stages i Advantages 1 Offers a more intimate relationship with the audience a Invites audience into the environment 2 Lower costs ii Disadvantages 1 Design acting and staging needs to work in three different directions 2 Restricted scenery a No off stage storage b Limited capability for scene changes c No act curtain i Scene changes occur in full view of the audience 3 Often limited fly space 4 Scenery props costumes and sound have to be more realistic 5 More challenging to light 6 Smaller space a Musicals have to be smaller productions i No place to put a giant orchestra 5 Arena Stage a Often called theatre in the round or a stadium b Spectators surround the stage on all sides c Advantages and disadvantages of Arena Stages i Advantages 1 Proximity of the audience can help spectators feel more involved in the play 2 Requires limited scenery 3 More audience members can feel like they are in the front row 4 Audience focus is directed to the costumes lighting directing and acting a As opposed to the set design 5 Not as costly a Ideal for a small budget ii Disadvantages 1 Requires greater detail and expressiveness in all production elements 2 Sightline problems a Sightline is the line of sight between an audience and a production b To ensure optimal sightlines for audience on all sides only limited scenery can be used i Cannot use scenery that is too tall and could potentially block the view of the audience on one or more sides 3 No fly space 4 Actors will always have their backs to one side of the audience at any given time a Directors must work on staging in diagonals as opposed to straight lines in order to improve visibility 5 Blocking difficulties a Special demands are placed on director s staging and production s design i Staging has to work from all angles of the audience 6 Designer must suggest set with minimal details a Because there is minimal set design due to producers avoiding potentially blocking sightline of audience producers are forced to rely on accent pieces to convey the locale period mood and style of the production i Often rely on costumes 7 Scene changes cannot be hidden a Often done in semi darkness 8 Difficult to light 6 Black Box Stage a Also called Flexible Stage b No defined rules about the relationship between the audience and the actors i They can mix in dynamic ways c Advantages and Disadvantages of Black Box Stages i Advantages 1 There is no one prescribed design of black box stages a Directors have options 2 Small and intimate 3 Low cost ii Disadvantages 1 Because it is so small a Limited lighting scenery capability b Blocking difficulties 2 Props and costumes have to be more detailed