A broad overview of the numerous theatrical spaces, and where theatre spaces may be seen outside of a traditional theatre building.

1. Where Can Performance be Done?
Learning Objectives
• Identify the four typical theatre configurations:
proscenium, thrust, arena, and flexible space.
• Recognize other spaces utilized in the creation of
theatre.
• Differentiate between professional and amateur
production contexts.
• Describe the diversification of theatrical production
contexts in America beyond Broadway.

2. Where Can Performance Be Done?
Key Concepts
• Theatre can occur in a variety of spaces with a number of different
configurations, such as proscenium, thrust, and arena.
• The thrust and proscenium configurations have been the most common
historically.
• The stage space is only one among many utilized in the creation and
viewing of performance.
• Theatre can occur in various producing contexts, both professional and
amateur.
• Although American theatre has become, in many ways, synonymous with
the commercial theatre produced in and around Broadway, there exist
vital American regional, educational, and community theatres.

3. Where Can Performance Be Done?
• Performance can (and does!) happen anywhere…
– Space (arrangement) helps to shape, inform and
contextualize the performance and elements of the
performance
• There are four major styles of arranging theatre
– Pronscenium
– Arena (in the round)
– ¾ Thrust (or just thrust)
– Flexible space (studio space, black box)

5. Proscenium
• Most popular form of arrangement
• Action is viewed as though through a picture
frame
• Distances audience members from actors
• Actors are behind “the fourth wall”
• Audience seats tend to be “raked”
• “Wings” are located off to the sides of the
main stage

9. Louisville’s historic Paramount Theatre

10. Spatial Arrangement:
¾ Thrust

11. Thrust
• Historically, the FIRST kind of theatrical
arrangement
• Audience surrounds the stage on three
(sometimes two) sides of the stage
• Audience is closer to the action
• Creates particular issues for designers
(sightline issues)

16. Spatial Arrangement:
Arena/In the Round

17. Arena
• Audience is closest to the action
• No frame separating the audience from the
actors
• Extremely challenging for actors and designers
• Tends to focus on plot, character and speech
as opposed to spectacle

18. Arena

19. Arena

21. The Flexible Space
(aka Black Box or Studio Theatre)
• Can be modulated to the demands of different
plays
• Very small, very intimate
• Sometimes used specifically as Environmental
theatre (also known as site-specific or site-
sympathetic theatre)

22. The Flexible Space

24. The Flexible Space

25. The Flexible Space

26. The Flexible Space

27. The Flexible Space

28. The Flexible Space

29. Environmental Theatre

30. Environmental Theatre:
Occupy Wall Street/Protests

31. Environmental Theatre:
Spontaneous Shrines

32. Site-Sympathetic Theatre
• Theatre that is created for, and can exist only
in a specific site
• Very tech intensive
• Sometimes referred to as a “theatrical
experience”

34. Sleep No More

44. Other Spaces:
Bread and Puppet Theatre