A brief introduction to the parts of a modern theater

 A revolution in the style of theatre began in the late 1800s and continued throughout most of the 1900s  The new style of theatre stressed a more realistic and naturalistic form of drama along with the concept of unity in style for all of the elements of the production  The scenic elements became realistic environments and not just backgrounds

 The action moved further back onto the stage, the apron size became smaller, the gallery side seats and boxes no longer had good views of the action  The side seats started to be eliminated and and the remaining seats faced the stage straight on  The Modern Proscenium Theatre started to take shape

 In the US in the 1920s-30s there was an effort to establish quality theatre productions outside of New York City  Large quality Proscenium theaters began to be built in cities around the country  From this movement sprung even smaller theatre groups that began producing in “found spaces” such as barns, churches, ware houses, and libraries

 These found spaces usually didn’t have room or the structural ability to add Proscenium Arches and planned auditoriums.  Many Thrust and Arena style stages began to pop up around the country

 Influenced by different experimental theatre movements, having theatres be used for Dance Shows and Choral and Orchestral concerts and even events such as car shows have changed the modern theatre  The reduction of a large guilded arch has given way to a smaller plain proscenium arch that can become a part of the Production  The Set for Cats was a Junkyard that spread all over the theatre, apron, arch, pit, balcony and ceiling

 For 350 years the Proscenium Stage and it’s machinery have been the dominant style of presenting a production.  It is extremely effective but its critics say that the antiquated style forcibly separates the audience from the performers

 The arch is a direct descendant of the Greek Proskenium  It can vary in size and shape  An average arch for an auditorium of people is  18’-22’ High and 36’-40’ Wide  Quincy High’s Lloyd Hill Auditorium is 22’ High and 38’ Wide

 The playing area behind the Proscenium Arch is known as the Stage  For actors a stage floor must be firm, resilient, non-skid surface that facilitates movement  For scenery purposes it must be resistant to splintering, gouging caused by heavy stage wagons, should be able to be painted, and should muffle the sound of scenic and acting movement

 The wings are the areas of the stage on either side of the playing space  The wings are primarily used for storage of scenery, props, and actors that are not needed on stage  There are masking curtains that hide the wings from the audience’s sight

 The Apron is also known as the Forestage  It is the extension of the stage from the Proscenium Arch toward the audience  It is usually 5’-15’ deep  It will often have access through the proscenium arch known as Ante-Proscenium Doors

 The orchestra pit is a large pit that houses the band for a performance  It usually is deep enough not to interfere with the spectators view of the stage  When not in use it creates a formidable void between the actors and audience  Many theatres have fixed this situation by having platforms that cover the pit when not in use  A modern solution is having motorized platforms that can be arranged in different configuration  The newest solution is having no pit and the band mic’ed in a different location

 If you couldn’t tell from the word Auditorium the focus of the space is on Auditory elements.  The walls slightly fan out to allow sound to bounce around, while the ceiling wraps around and the floor rakes up to create better acoustics  Many Auditoriums have different angled panels that can be adjusted for different events

 Orchestra, Balcony, Boxes, Mezzanine

 The Fly Loft also known as the “flies” is the space above the stage  It is usually 2-1/2x Taller than the Proscenium Arch  This allows scenery to be flown out completely out of sight  The gridiron or grid is located just below the roof of the fly loft  It allows access to the rigging hardware along as supporting the weight of the scenery

 Many new additions have taken place to ensure the safety of the patrons  Smoke detectors, heat sensors, sprinkler systems, fire curtain and fire doors have all been put into practice in case of fire  Ventilation systems and AC units have been installed for the comfort of the audience  More exits and emergency lighting systems are all in place in case of an evacuation

 The link is to a video on a ground breaking theatre design that transforms  TED TALKS- Joshua Prince-Ramus: Building a theater that remakes itself 