GE English

PRACTICAL
ASSIGNMENT
Submitted for the partial fulfillment of the
requirement for the GE exam of English internal
assessment in the Faculty of Arts, Department
of History.

TOPIC: Types of theater stages.

By,
Aditi Ray
Exam Roll: RAB/NAS/210118
Regn. No: 210128 of 2021-2022

BA Third Semester, Department of History.

2021-2022.

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What is a stage in a theater?

In theatre and performing arts, the stage (sometimes referred to

as the deck in stagecraft) is a designated space for
the performance of productions. The stage serves as a space
for actors or performers and a focal point
(the screen in cinema theatres) for the audience. As an
architectural feature, the stage may consist of a platform (often
raised) or series of platforms. In some cases, these may be
temporary or adjustable but in theatres and other buildings
devoted to such productions, the stage is often a permanent
feature.
There are several types of stages that vary as to the usage and
the relation of the audience to them. The most common form
found in the West is the proscenium stage. In this type, the
audience is located on one side of the stage with the remaining
sides hidden and used by the performers and
technicians. Thrust stages may be similar to proscenium stages
but with a platform or performance area that extends into the
audience space so that the audience is located on three sides.
In theatre in the round, the audience is located on all four sides
of the stage. The fourth type of stage incorporates created and
found stages which may be constructed specifically for a
performance or may involve a space that is adapted as a stage.

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Types of Theatre Stages

PROSCENIUM ARCH STAGE

● A stage where the audience sits on one side only is called a proscenium
stage (you might know this as end-on staging).
● The audience faces one side of the stage directly making up the forth
wall.
● A proscenium Arch is also like a picture frame because it is shaped in
such a way that the audience watches the play as it would regard a
picture.
● While the stage is illuminated during the performance, the auditorium
remains dark, which also turns the audience into an anonymous mass.
● Since the audience is thus not disturbed from watching the play and
can fully concentrate on the action on stage, it becomes easier to create
an illusion of real life in plays.

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In-the-round stage

● An in-the-round stage is positioned at the centre of the

audience - i.e. there is audience all around the whole
stage.
● This type of stage creates quite an intimate atmosphere,
and is good for drama that needs audience involvement.
● It allows the audience to sit closer to the action.
● Because of its shape, this type of stage makes it difficult
for the scenery and large props to be changed in the
middle of a performance.
● It is not possible to use a back drop for effect.
● The space does not have any curtains to enhance the
‘illusion’ of theatre.

A Thrust stage
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● A thrust 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 the
audience and performers than a proscenium, while
retaining the utility of a backstage area.
● Entrances onto a thrust are most readily made from
backstage, although some theatres provide for performers
to enter through the audience using monitory entrances.
● The audience in a thrust stage theatre may view the
stage from three or more sides. If a performance employs
the fourth wall, that imaginary wall must be maintained
on multiple sides.

Traverse Stage
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● The audience sits on two sides of the stage, facing towards
each other.
● This type of staging is also commonly known as an alley or
corridor stage. Although not commonly used for the production
of plays, this form of staging is especially popular for fashion
shows.
● In the Theatre the ends of the stage can be much larger than
the traverse stage itself allowing for more space for actors, sets,
and scenery.
● There are many practical implications for the actor performing
on a traverse stage, such as the need for greater projection of
voice (when the actor faces one audience, he turns his back to
the other) and to make sure that every action is visible to both
sides of the audience.
● From a design perspective, staging is very limited so as not to
block sight lines across the stage.

An Amphitheatre
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● An amphitheater is an open-air venue used for entertainment
and performances.
● Ancient Roman amphitheatres were large central performance
spaces surrounded by ascending seating, and were commonly
used for spectator sports; these compare more closely to
modern open-air stadiums.
● They were given this name because their shape resembled
that of two theatres joined together.
● Contemporary amphitheatres often include standing
structures, sometimes curved or bowl shaped, both behind the
stage and behind the audience, creating an area which echoes or
amplifies sound, making the amphitheater ideal for musical or
theatrical performances.

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Black Box
● A Black Box Theatre is a bare room usually with black walls or
curtains all around it. It may also have a movable seating area
and this means that the performance can be watched from
different angles. It usually has a flexible lighting system.

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 Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Aditi Ray, BA Sem. 3 ,
Department of History.

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Teacher’s Remarks. Teacher’s Signature.