Theater Basics

An "arena" stage...

• Has a rounded front like an apron and wings/curtains

• Extends into the audience longer on the front

• Has audience members on all 4 sides with tiered seating

• Can be anywhere like a garage, clearing/park or churchyard

A "found" stage...

• Can be anywhere like a park, a garage, or a gym

• Extends on one side into the audience

• Has audience members on all 4 sides like a stadium

• Has a curved front like an apron

A "proscenium" stage...

• Can seat spectators on all 4 sides in tiered seats like bleachers

• Extends farther on one side into the audience

• Can be anywhere like a garage, park or gym

• Is the most common and has an outward arch or apron

A "thrust" stage...

• Has an outward arch like an apron

• Can seat spectators on all 4 sides in tiered seating like bleachers

• Extends farther on one side into the audience

• Can be anywhere like a garage, park or gym

Which type of theater is surrounded by spectators on all sides, typically has a much smaller audience size and no background or set pieces to block their view?

• Arena

• Thrust

• In the round

• Proscenium

Draw your best sketch of an "open air" theater

Draw your best sketch of a "black box" theater...

What is the purpose of the tech box?

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Sometimes a theater will have extensions of the stage that are on the sides of the audience where a chorus or ensemble sings. What are these called?

• the tech boxes

• the wings

• the satellites

• the aprons

Draw an image of an actor moving from UPSTAGE-LEFT to DOWNSTAGE-RIGHT. Include arrows. Indicate where the audience is.