Introduction To Theatre Lecture

“If all the world’s a stage, then you deserve better lighting!”

Cyclorama Floor Plan

Cyclorama Blue/Green Wash

Backdrop

Raked Stage with Backdroplegs and headers

Parts of the Stage

Four types of theatre spaces

Proscenium audience views the action from one

direction Downey, Music Center

Arena audience views the action from

four directions Arena Stage, Washington DC

Proscenium Theatre

Proscenium Theatre

Proscenium Theatre Space

Other terms: picture-frame, fourth wall

Introduced in Italy during the Renaissance

90% of all theatres

Proscenium Theatre Space

Advantages provides for spectacle focuses audience’s

attention most acutely heightens aesthetic

distance

Disadvantages intimacy more difficult

to achieve

Arena Stage

Arena Theatre

Arena Theatre Space

Other terms: theatre-in-the-round, circle

theatre

Oldest arrangement in history

Arena Theatre Space

Advantages offers greater intimacy heightens audience’s

sense of community demands economy in

design and production

Disadvantages Plays requiring

elaborate scenery suffer

Arena Theatre

Arena Theatre

Four types of theatre spaces cont.

Thrust audience views the action from

three direction Mark Taper Forum

Created & Found Spaces each audience member views the

action from a unique perspective

Thrust Stage

Thrust

The Mark Taper Forum

South Coast Reparatory Theatre

Thrust Stage Space

Other terms: three-quarter stage

Most widely used in history

Thrust Stage Space

Advantages a compromise between

the proscenium and arena stage

• some intimacy

• some spectacle Western theatre written

for this space

Disadvantages a compromise between

the proscenium and arena stage

• some intimacy

• some spectacle

Created and Found Spaces(Flexible Theatre)

An attempt to break down audience-actor distance.Grew out of avant-garde experimentation.Originated in 1927 by Gilmore BrownAffect the audience’s experience as strongly as

dialogue or staging might.Non-theatre buildings, street theatre, multifocus

environments.Sandwich and L Shapes Staging

The Found Theatre

Acting RulesNever Break – Always stay in characterActing is reactingActing is visual and audioListen to you costars as if you have never heard

them before.Every movement must be motivatedNever make eye contact with the audience.Follow the director he/she is in charge!!Build your emotions within a scene you can only

get so angry and loud!!!Know your character’s motivations

Acting TechniquesGesture is a hand or arm movement.

Always use your upstage hand or arm.Enter the stage on your upstage footAlways turn downstageKneel on your downstage kneeThe audience will follow your eyes so stay

focused in the direction you want the audience to look.

Open up for the audience – ¾ Open – To turn towards the audience Close – Turn away from the audience

Bad Actor – Shame!!UpstagingCoverPick up Cues – too slow!!Over-ridingToo much back and butt!Bad diction and projectionSlow Timing

Almost Done

ProtagonistAntagonist

Technique Forever

Method Acting Stanislavski Moscow Arts Theatre 1800’s

When the actor doesn’t know their lines

Missed CuesAd-libImprovisationTimingOver-Riding

Three Elements in Collaboration

Performer

Audience

Text

Theatre and Other Art Forms1. Focus on the human experience. 2. “Perpetual Present”

Thornton Wilder

4. “Willing suspension of disbelief” Samuel Coleridge

5. Immediacy of theatre6. Collaboration

between the performer and the audience between the designers, directors, performers,

technicians Theatre is Didactic – It teaches lessons

Basic elements of theatre?

StoryActorsAudienceCritics and ScholarsDirector

ProducerTheatre SpaceDesignersTechniciansManagers

Jobs in the Theatre Director Designers – Lights – Sound – Scenery - Choreography Stage Manager Technical Director Artistic Director House Manager Theatre Manager Prop Crew Lighting Technician Box Office Staff Concessions Staff Actors Singers Dancers Marketing Staff - Publicity Shop Carpenters, Electricians, Machinists Agents Managers Public Relations Booking Agent Ushers Musicians Conductors Producers Casting Directors Accountant Touring Manager