There are hundreds of thousands of theaters out in the world. In this vast number of buildings and spaces that offer live performance no two are exactly the same. For starters there are four main types of theater: Proscenium, Thrust, Flexible/Black Box, and Arena Stage. All of these types of theaters have advantages and dis advantages. For example a Black Box theater is completely customizable with where the stage can go in the space, the size and shape of the stage, and where the seats will go. It also allows for the possibility for a more intimate experience with the audience. However a disadvantage is that while the ideas and concepts around a Black Box are truly creative and interesting it can be hard to figure out scene entrances, lighting fixture location and other technical data.
Another example is the vastly popular Proscenium Theater. This theater is what most people will think of when theaters are mentioned. This theater has the ability to produce huge productions unlike the Black Box. However in a Proscenium there is a definite line between audience and stage so it can be a little more difficult to create a sense of intimacy with the audience.
In order to navigate these stages it is important to understand stage direction. The stage itself (sometimes referred to as the deck) is divided into a grid of 9 sections. These sections are named using of the two words from each list of Up Center Down and Right Center Left. These terms are used in stage direction along with In and Out and On and Off. Some important things to know are that the direction of stage left and right are taken from the on stage point if view. If you are in the audience to your left is Stage Right and to your right is Stage Left. This makes it easy for actors and tech crews who are working in stage to receive direction.
As for Up and Down stage, Down stage is near the audience and Up is away. This is because from ancient Roman times up until the 1900s the audience was set in flat ground and the stage was tilted at the audience so that the people in the back could still see the stage. This creates a literal up and down stage. In modern day this has been flipped so that the audience is now built on an up ward slope.
The In and Out directions refer to objects being flown in from above the stage by the fly system. "In" is to bring something in to view and "Out" is to bring something out of view. On and Off refer to set pieces being brought On stage or Off stage by either actors or the tech crew.
This also refers to curtains on stage.
When people think about theater many times they will begin to think about that red curtain (referred to as house or front curtain) which many Proscenium theaters have. However there are 4 different types of common house curtains. The most common is the Traveler which opens and closes horizontally to and from the sides of the theater. The other three types open vertically from top to bottom. The Austrian curtain is raised in sections along the stage. The Venetian is a single piece that can be lifted to different heights in different places similar to the Austrian. And The Tableau is two pieces one on top of the other where the centers are pulled to the upper corners of the stage.
This is the basic knowledge that a crew member should understand and know when beginning stage work. It is important to understand stage directions and the unique elements of an empty theater, square one.
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| Black Box Theater © Tom Rossiter |
In order to navigate these stages it is important to understand stage direction. The stage itself (sometimes referred to as the deck) is divided into a grid of 9 sections. These sections are named using of the two words from each list of Up Center Down and Right Center Left. These terms are used in stage direction along with In and Out and On and Off. Some important things to know are that the direction of stage left and right are taken from the on stage point if view. If you are in the audience to your left is Stage Right and to your right is Stage Left. This makes it easy for actors and tech crews who are working in stage to receive direction.
As for Up and Down stage, Down stage is near the audience and Up is away. This is because from ancient Roman times up until the 1900s the audience was set in flat ground and the stage was tilted at the audience so that the people in the back could still see the stage. This creates a literal up and down stage. In modern day this has been flipped so that the audience is now built on an up ward slope.
The In and Out directions refer to objects being flown in from above the stage by the fly system. "In" is to bring something in to view and "Out" is to bring something out of view. On and Off refer to set pieces being brought On stage or Off stage by either actors or the tech crew.
This also refers to curtains on stage.
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| Austrian Drape |
This is the basic knowledge that a crew member should understand and know when beginning stage work. It is important to understand stage directions and the unique elements of an empty theater, square one.
Wow Tony, you really know your topic well. The information is AMAZING. I never knew so much went into theater work. I'm overwhelmed and happy, I've learned lots! Keep up the good work.
ReplyDelete--Shakir