Stage Types:

– Proscenium stage:

A proscenium it can be said that it’s a

“window” that frames the play taking place
on the stage. This type of stage, gives
everyone in the audience a good view
because the performers need only focus on
one direction rather than continually moving
around the stage to give a good view from
all sides.
A proscenium theatre arrangement also
simplifies the hiding and obscuring of
objects from the audience’s view (sets,
performers not currently performing, and – Thrust theatre stage:
theatre technology). Anything that is not
meant to be seen is simply placed outside A thrust theatre stage is known by its
the “window” created by the proscenium arrangement which consists of being
arch, either in the wings or in the fly space surrounded by audience on three sides. The
above the stage. Fourth side serves as the background.
Often the playing area is of square or
rectangular shape, usually raised and
surrounded by raked seating.

poscenium stage

Example: Theatre royal – Westminster,

London – 1674 – Sir Christopher Wren. Thrust stage

Example: Crucible Theatre –

Sheffield, South Yorkshire – 1971 – Arch.
Renton Howard Wood associates
 end stage (almeida)

Thrust stage ____________________________________

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Arena Theatre:

– End Stage: An Arena stage is characterized by a central

stage surrounded by audience on all sides.
An End stage is the same as the Thrust stage The stage area is also often raised to
but in this case the audience is located only improve sightlines.
on the front of the stage and doesn’t extend
around it. “Backstage” is behind the
background wall. There is no real wing
space to the sides, although there may be
entrances there. An example of a modern
end is a music hall, where the background
walls surround the playing space on three
sides. Like a thrust stage, scenery primarily
background.

Example: Almeida theatre – Islington,

London – 1983/86′ – Arch. Burrell Foley
Fischer

arena stage
Example: Royal exchange theatre –
Manchester – 1976 – Arch. Levitt Bernstein
Associates

Flexible theatre:

Sometimes called a “Black Box” theatre,

these are often big empty boxes painted
black inside. Stage and seating not fixed.
Instead, each can be altered to suit the needs
of the play or the whim of the director.

Example: Octagon theatre – Bolton – 1967

– Designed by Geoffrey H. Brooks
(Bolton’s director of architecture)

flexible stage (octagon t.)