Thrust Theatre

Group 2
 WHAT IS THRUST THEATRE ALL ABOUT?

Thrust theatre is a stage design where the audience

surrounds three sides of the performance space,
projecting forward into the audience. This configuration
provides an intimate and immersive experience, allowing
spectators to view the action from multiple angles.
Actors often enter and exit from the sides, creating a
dynamic and engaging theatrical atmosphere.
THRUST THEATRE
 WHAT IS THE USE OF THRUST STAGE

In theatre, a thrust stage (a platform stage or open

stage) is one that extends into the audience on three
sides and is connected to the backstage area by its
upstage end. A thrust has the benefit of greater
intimacy between performers and the audience, while
retaining the utility of a backstage area.
 WHEN AND WHERE DID IT STARTED/USED?

The thrust stage, or thrust theater, as a concept can be traced

back to ancient Greek theaters in the 5th century BCE,
specifically in Athens. The Theater of Dionysus, located on the
southern slope of the Acropolis, is an early example of a thrust
stage. The idea of a stage extending into the audience space was
further developed in ancient Roman theaters, such as the Theater
of Pompey in Rome, constructed in 55 BCE. These early instances
laid the groundwork for the use of thrust stages in various
theatrical traditions throughout history.
 THEATRE OF
POMPEY

THEATRE OF
DIONYSUS
 WHAT PLAYS ARE USED IN THIS STAGE?

Thrust stages are unique in that the audience

surrounds the stage on three sides. Plays suitable for
thrust stages often involve dynamic interactions and
staging to engage all perspectives. Some examples
include Shakespearean plays like "Hamlet" or modern
works like Arthur Miller's "The Crucible."
 PARTS OF A THRUST STAGE

thrust stage is characterized by its three-sided audience configuration,

featuring an extended apron that reaches into the audience space. The
apron allows performers to engage intimately with viewers and facilitates
dynamic interactions. Center stage serves as the primary acting area,
surrounded by the audience on three sides, providing a focal point for the
performance. The wings on either side of the stage enable actors to make
entrances and exits seamlessly. This spatial arrangement enhances the
immersive nature of theatrical productions on thrust stages, fostering a
unique connection between performers and audience members through
proximity and multidirectional perspectives.
THRUST STAGE