Theatre Spaces and their

Functions
Theatre Spaces and their Functions
• This lesson seeks to establish the centrality of
spaces in theatre production.

• Explore the functions of spaces in the

construction and communication of meaning to
the audience in a theatrical production.
Types of Stages
•Proscenium Stage
•Thrust Stage
•End Stage
•Arena Stage
Proscenium Stage
The key feature of the Proscenium Stage is the
“proscenium” (The picture frame).
The term proscenium comes from the proscenium
arch, the frame which separates the
stage(performers) from the auditorium(audience).
The play is watched through the picture frame
opening.
It is also known as the “fourth wall” or “picture
frame”
Proscenium Stage

The wings are on either side of the stage.

It contains a curtain of cloth which generally lowers

from above the arch backstage to hide the set until the
performance begins.
Images of a Proscenium Stage
An Image of the Proscenium Stage at the Drama Studio.
Thrust Theatre

The stage is surrounded by audience on three

sides.
There is no real wing space to the sides like the
Proscenium.
Types of Thrust Stage
Arena Theatre

It is a stage with a central pace surrounded by

audience on all sides.
The stage area is often raised to improve
sightlines/views.
It is also known as “theatre in the round” or “circle
theatre”
Types of Arena Stages
An image of the Arena Stage at the Drama Studio.
END STAGE
 Theatre Spaces and their Functions

Many elements make up a theatre building.

Though there are many different types of theatre

buildings they all contain some basic elements.
 Theatre Spaces and their Functions

•In the Theatre Building, the following

Spaces must be Expected.
1. The two main areas are:
 Front of house
 Backstage
Front of house
Front of house is the space of first point of contact or
engagement for most audience.

Audiences enter a theatre via a foyer.

The foyer is the area that contains the Box Office.

The Box Office is where tickets are sold or collected.

Image of the foyer and a
Standard box office
Front of house
Cloak Room – This is a room for keeping bags
and coats belonging to the audience.

The auditorium (also known as the house) is

where the audience sits to watch the
performance.
Front of House

Stalls.The first level of seating directly in front

of the stage.

Boxes. These were originally built as private

seating for the very rich patrons as their
occupants could be seen by everyone else in the
auditorium.
Front of house
Balconies. The first level people seat to watch a
performance.
A second Balcony of a theatre is known as
Upper Circle.
The top level is the gallery or the gods.
Image of His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen,
showing the stalls, balconies
 The proscenium Arch and Safety Curtain
Normally found in British Theatres.

This is the frame around the stage, dividing the

auditorium from the backstage areas.

It is known as the house curtain.

BACKSTAGE
Backstage
Backstage is normally known to be that part
of the theatre which is “supposed” to be out
of sight of the audience.
In conventional terms, it is the areas behind
the proscenium arch.
BACKSTAGE

Backstage includes the spaces;

Above and underneath the stage.

Behind and beside the stage.

Backstage
These are the preparation areas of the theatre.
It involves the spaces where set materials, props,
etc. are stored when not in use.
The technical studios which include:
• The sound and light control box
Backstage
 The wings(The dividers through which actors enter
and exit the stage so that they will not be seen before
or after an action)
Scenery or sets are stored in the wings in the
backstage for use on stage during performance for easy
set and change of scenery.
Prompt corner is also found in the wings. This is
usually located in the wings and it is a part of the
backstage.
Backstage

THE SPACE ABOVE

The space above and directly overhead the stage
is called the Grid and fly over.
It is normally about one and a half size the
height of the proscenium arch.
Bars. Used by almost all the units of the
production
Backstage - BARS

Bars are used to rig elements such as Drapes, Lights,

Speakers, Sound and Audio Visual Materials.
Some set elements are “flown” up and down/
in and out of the view of the audience with the use
of bars.
Backstage - The Grid/ Flown Over
Backstage: Black Drape
It is a normally a black fabric which is usually
hanged in front of the back wall.
This is also rigged by the bar
• FUNCTION
1. To hide the cast and crew from the
audience view as they move around
backstage.
Backstage: Black Drape
Black Drape usually has a white cloth stretched in
front of it.

The White Cloth normally offers space on which

lighting is projected to provide background
(illusion) for the scenes. This is known as Cyclorama.
Backstage: The Dock
The rear entrance where trucks unload of the
materials needed for the performance is called the
Dock.

Costumes, Technical Equipment, equipment for set in

respect of the particular performance known as “get
in” and “get out” are unloaded at the dock.
Backstage: Stage Door

The stage door through which all cast and crew, enter
the theatre building is also normally found at the rear
of the theatre building.

Other staff can also use the stage door to enter the
theatre building.
Image showing the stage door at the
Dominion Theatre, London.
Backstage: Dressing Room

This is where performers dress to get ready for the show.

Dressing room contains mirrors which are surrounded

by light in other to stimulate the lighting condition.

GREEN ROOM. This is where performers can eat or

relax.
Backstage-Rehearsal Room

Rehearsal Room is where performers warm up

before performance or rehearse as a company
during both the rehearsal and performance
periods.
Backstage-Wardrobe
This is a general term for the Costume
Department.
It is also a term used for the spaces where
costumes are made and stored
Other purposes of Wardrobe include the laundry,
wig room.
Wardrobe: An image showing part of the
wardrobe workroom
Backstage: Workshop
Workshop of the theatre is a space in the theatre
where theatrical elements are built, e.g. lighting
and sound.

Again, props, set and scenery are constructed

and maintained in the workshop of the theatre.
Backstage: Workshop. An image showing part
of the Workshop of the theatre
THE STAGE

The stage is the area where the performance takes

place.

In a proscenium arch theatre, the stage usually

projects in front of the arch itself.

This area is known as the apron or forestage.

THE STAGE

Immediately in front of the stage, or sometimes partly

underneath the apron, is the orchestra pit, a sunken
area from which the orchestra plays.
The stage is broken up into areas known as stage left
and stage right and upstage and downstage.
Stage left and stage right are from the perspective of
the performer on stage and are therefore the reverse for
those sat in the audience.
THE STAGE

Upstage refers to the area closest to the rear wall of

the stage, furthest from the audience.

Downstage refers to the area closest to the audience

and the front of the stage and apron.