1. THEATRES A theatre is composed of two basic parts: a place for the audience, and a place for the actors to perform.

2. THEATRES A theatre is composed of two basic parts: a place for the audience, and a place for the actors to perform. Optionally, it may also have a “scene” a space in which the action of the play takes place.

3. THEATRES Kind of Theatres: Picture-frame theatres –

4. THEATRES Kind of Theatres: Picture-frame theatres – Most of the older theatres we visit today are of this type. The audience sits in straight or slightly curving rows in front of a large, square hole. Often rich decorations surround the opening. The actors perform on a level platform back and away from the audience.

5. THEATRES Italian theater – 1840’s

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8. Kind of Theatres:

9. THEATRES Kind of Theatres:

10. THEATRES Kind of Theatres: Thrust-Stage Theatres -

11. THEATRES Kind of Theatres: Thrust-Stage Theatres – Because it is seen from three sides, a thrust stage brings its audience more fully into the action. The stage literally thrusts out on the audience area and the audience is in closer contact with the performers.

12. THEATRES

14. Bisline Theatre – Idaho State

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16. Kind of Theatres: Arena-stage Theatres –

17. THEATRES Kind of Theatres: Arena-stage Theatres – An arena stage completely eliminates the use of full scale settings, except on the floor of the stage. The audience sits on four sides of the acting area, as around a circus ring. It is a cheap type of space to build, so it is used by small and contemporary theatre companies.

18. THEATRES

21. Kind of Theatres: Arena-stage Theatres – There are two important factors with arena stages – first, there is only one basic location for dramatic action at one time. Second, the actors must keep moving throughout the performance.

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23. Kind of Theatres: Traverse-stage Theatres – Theatres in this form have two scenic backgrounds, one at either end of a long, narrow acting area, which can be used to give fixed points of reference for a play’s narrative. However, there is the problem that the audience sees both backgrounds.

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25. Kind of Theatres: Greek and Roman Theatres – A special form of theatre was developed in ancient Greece between the fifth and third centuries B.C.

26. THEATRES Kind of Theatres: Greek and Roman Theatres – A special form of theatre was developed in ancient Greece between the fifth and third centuries B.C. It served plays in which episodes of song, dance and speech for members of a chorus alternated with the actors.

27. THEATRES Kind of Theatres: Greek and Roman Theatres – To accommodate the chorus, a circular orchestra, or dancing area was provided, and behind this was constructed a scene from which actors playing roles could make entries and exits.

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30. Kind of Theatres: “Black-Box” Theatres – A term for the small theatre space used by many independent acting companies. It is usually painted black and has a small stage at one end. It usually seats about 50 to 75 people. The advantage is that operating costs are usually lower than those of larger theatres.

31. THEATRES Kind of Theatres: “Black-Box” Theatres – Walnut Theatre – Studio 5

32. THEATRES Kind of Theatres: “Black-Box” Theatres – Experimental Theatre in New Mexico – 100 seats