7. Production Aspects

Question 1

Describe lighting as a production aspect

Answer 1

Lighting is generally created by powerful lights that are hung above, in front and beside the stage. It is used to not only light the performers but to also create mood and feeling for the performance.

Question 2

What are the different types of lighting?

Answer 2

Floods, battens, spots, gels, gobos and projectors

Question 3

Describe flood lighting

Answer 3

give a general wash across the stage or the cyclorama (large white back drop) or the back wall of the performance space

Question 4

Describe battens lighting

Answer 4

rows of lights

Question 5

Describe spots lighting

Answer 5

two kinds - a soft focus (frenell) or a sharp beam, they can be quite small or very large

Question 6

Describe gels lighting

Answer 6

coloured heat-resistant see-through slides that are placed in front of the light to give it colour

Question 7

Describe gobos lighting

Answer 7

cut-out shapes placed in front of the light to give shadows or shapes on the stage floor or cyclorama

Question 8

Describe projector lighting

Answer 8

used to project multi-media elements into the space such as film or animation.

Question 9

What is the most common dance performance space called?

Answer 9

Proscenium arch

Question 10

What are the different performance spaces and stage types?

Answer 10

Proscenium arch, black box, thrust stage, hybrid performance space and site-specific performance soace

Question 11

Describe a proscenium arch performance space

Answer 11

The proscenium arch is the most common form of theatre building in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The arch is like a picture frame through which the action can be seen. It is there to hide all the production elements, such as the lighting and backstage areas.

Question 12

Describe a black box performance space

Answer 12

This type of theatre has no proscenium arch and minimal lighting. It is often painted black. The audience sits on the same level as the performance space or has a raked seating bank.

Question 13

Describe a thrust stage performance space

Answer 13

The thrust stage is also known as a platform stage or open stage, the stage space extends into the audience on three sides and is connected to the backstage area by its upstage end. A thrust stage has the benefit of greater intimacy between the performers and the audience that a proscenium, while retaining the utility of a backstage area.

Question 14

Describe a hybrid performance space

Answer 14

A hybrid performance space is like a black box; however, is doesn’t have a designated stage space. The space is set up to be used in any configuration, for many different types of shows, gallery show or media event.

Question 15

Describe a site-specific performance space

Answer 15

Site-specific performance is a performance that is designed to be done in a unique, specially adapted location other than a standard theatre. It can be any space such as a courtyard, a converted building, garden or room. The performance is created specifically for this location and often uses the environment within the performance.

Question 16

Describe a stage set

Answer 16

Historically, theatre sets for dance are a painted construction that the dance is placed in front of and is the scenery for the performance. More recently stage design for dance is not just conceiving a setting for theatre or dance to take place within and in front of it. The setting becomes both an inspiration for choreography as well as a moving element in the stage choreography and design.

Question 17

Describe what props are

Answer 17

Props are all the other elements on the stage that are part of the set but can be moved, items such as chairs, tables, lamps, cups, plates, flowers are considard props. In dance a prop is often caried by a dancer such as a fan or a bunch of flowers, and they can be used in the choreography of the dance.

Question 18

Describe what costumes are

Answer 18

Costume designers will typically seek to enhance a character’s persona or emphasise aspects of the movement and/or the choreographer’s vision. At the same time, the designer must ensure that the dancer can move safely, without damaging the garments and in a manner consistent with the intention of the choreographer. Additional considerations include the durability and wash ability of garments, particularly when performing in extended seasons. The designer must work in consultation with the choreographer, set and lighting designers to ensure that the overall design of the production is effective.

Question 19

Describe what makeup is

Answer 19

The reason dancers and stage performers war stage makeup are to highlight their features so they can be seen from a distance and to counteract the strong stage lighting that washes out the face of the performer on the stage. Dance has a standard style of makeup that is used in a very similar way across the world.

Question 20

Describe how music is important to dance

Answer 20

Music has a big impact on the audience’s interpretation of a dance performance. Some choreographers may commission a music, but others will use sound that is already created. Most choreographers prefer to use a piece they already know particularly if the music has been part to the initial creative impetus. Often music is edited to suit the dance work under construction. Abstract sound design is also used in performance, which is more like a soundscape from a movie rather than a traditional song or music composition. There have also been many dance shows that have large sections of choreography without music.