Knowledge, Understanding and Vocabulary: Staging and Space Flashcards
In a traditional theatre space what word is used to describe the space closer to the audience?
Downstage
In a traditional theatre space what word is used to describe the space further away from the audience?
Upstage
In a traditional theatre space how do we describe the spaces at either side of the playing space?
Stage Left and Stage Right (described from the point of view of an actor facing the audience)
Breaking a a traditional theatre space into nine equal proxemic areas, what terms would we use to refer to them?
Up Stage Right (USR), Up Stage Centre (US), Up stage Left (USL),
Centre Stage Right (CSR), Centre Stage (CS), Centre Stage Left (CSL),
Down Stage Right (DSR), Down Stage Centre (DSC), Down Stage Right (DSR),
How do we describe height and changes in height on a stage space?
Levels
What would you call an auditorium layout where the audience are all facing one edge of the stage?
End-on, or Proscenium Stage
What would you call an auditorium layout where the audience are facing the stage from all sides, the stage is surrounded?
In-The-Round
What would you call an auditorium layout where the audience are facing the stage from three sides, two banks of audience facing each other, the stage in between?
Traverse
What would you call an auditorium layout where the audience are facing the stage from three sides, or around 270°, allowing for a back wall to the playing area?
Thrust
Define the term Promenade Theatre
A production where the audience move to different locations in the course of the performance.
Often, but not exclusively, outdoors.
Define the term Site Specific Theatre
A performance taking place in a non-theatre space making use of the unique features of the space.
Define the term Studio Space, or Black Box Studio
A performance space with no fixed seating - seating banks can be freely arranged to suit each performance.
What is the difference between Imagined Space, Playing Space, Theatre Space and Gestural Space?
Imagined Space- the abstract space of the imagination, the location the drama takes place in
Stage Space- the physical space that the actors and audience can see.
Theatre Space- the space occupied by both the audience and actors during the course of the performance
Gestural Space- the space created by the actor and their movements
What is the Auditorium?
The area of the theatre intended for the audience, typically in rising banks of seats and often on multiple levels.
Define the term Proxemics
Spatial relationship: How far apart things are from each other. In theatre especially: the significant distant between actors and how that reads to an audience.
What is the Fly loft?
The area above the stage, masked from the audience’ view, containing rope-and-pulley systems by which set pieces and actors can be lowered onto and raised from the stage.
What is meant by ‘Sightlines’?
The clear lines of vision from various points in the audience to the stage
What is a Raked stage?
A stage that is tilted upwards from front to back, creating a sloped effect.
What is a ‘Flat’ ?
A piece of scenery or a large, flat panel typically used to create walls, doors, or other elements of a set. Flats are often painted to look like structures and are used in many stage productions.
What is a Trap Door?
A door set into the stage floor that allows actors or scenery to appear or disappear from below the stage.
