The document outlines 5 main stage types used in theatre: the proscenium arch stage where the audience sits on one side facing the stage; the thrust stage where the audience surrounds the stage on 3 sides for more intimacy; the arena stage where the audience encircles the stage on all 4 sides; the traverse stage where the audience sits on 2 opposite sides facing each other across a longer acting area; and the flexible stage which developed in the 20th century as a large black box room that can be configured in different ways.

1. Theatre stage types
Presentation by Maria Janus,
student of theatre production

2. Proscenium arch stage
Also: Italian style stage, end
stage
•The audience is located from
one side, usually in straight rows
•Raked auditorium

3. Thrust stage
Also: open stage, courtyard
stage
•The audience located from three sides
•Elisabethan theatre, but also Spain’s
Golden Age theatre (corrales)
•Big intimacy between performers and
the audience

4. Arena stage
Also: staging in the round,
island stage, centre stage
•The audience is located around
four sides of the stage

5. Traverse stage
Also: alley or corridor stage
• The audience sits facing the acting
area from two sides.
• The audience on one side faces
the audience on the other side.
• The acting area is longer than its
width.

6. Flexible stage theatres
Also: black box theatres,
laboratory theatres, modular
theatres, multiform theatres,
free form theatres or
environmental theatres
•The idea: beginning of 20th century.
•Practice: second half of 20th century.
•Usually it is a large square room with
black walls and a flat floor.