Staging

Question 1

Advantages of a proscenium arch (end on) staging

Answer 1

• audience are kept distant from performers
• elaborate set & costume can be used as it is easier to change
• lighting is easy - don’t have to consider the effects on audience
• easier to create a fourth wall as audience are more distant

Question 2

Disadvantages of a proscenium arch (end on) staging

Answer 2

• less intimate - audience are not as close so you can’t make out small details
• the view is often restricted - especially if seating or stage is not raked

Question 3

Advantages of ‘in the round’ theatre

Answer 3

• audience is placed close to the action - provokes a feeling of intimacy
• entrances & exits can be made through the audience
• audience can be used as part of the performance
• props & set will have to be used creatively as there is no backdrop

Question 4

Disadvantages of ‘in the round’ theatre

Answer 4

• have to ensure scenery does not mask actors and the rest of the stage from parts of the audience
• backdrops and curtains cannot be used - have to find other ways to set the scene
• lighting - actors must be lit from all sides without blinding nearby audience members
• entrances & exits must be made either through the audience - surprise entrances are very difficult
• actors need to ensure they don’t have their backs turned to any part of the audience fro a long period of time in order to be seen and heard

Question 5

Advantages of traverse staging

Answer 5

• actors can enter from upstage and downstage if required
• audience are closer to the action
• audience members can see each other - reminds them they are in the theatre and helps immerse them in the action on stage

Question 6

Disadvantages of traverse staging

Answer 6

• can restrict the view of audience members if one side is used more often
• scenery must be low - so it doesn’t cause obstruction
• backdrops cannot be used
• difficult to position lights as the audience are often quite close

Question 7

Advantages of thrust staging

Answer 7

• there is a back wall that can be used for hanging backdrop and large scenery
• blocking is easier as there is a back wall, so actors don’t have to worry about having their backs to the audience
• creates more intimacy with audience

Question 8

Disadvantages of thrust staging

Answer 8

• have to ensure key elements of the set are visible from all angles
• have to keep in mind that the audience have different viewpoints - could use raked seating to enhance visibility
• have to en corporate lighting that ensure proper illumination from all sides without blinding the audience’s view

Question 9

What are the 4 main staging shapes?
And how many (out of 4) sides are audience?

Answer 9

End on (proscenium arch) - 1 side audience

Traverse - 2 sides audience

Thrust - 3 sides audience

In the round - 4 sides audience