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Objectives:

WE WILL:

Discuss how to interpret stage directions, identify the names of standard stage curtains and explore three main stage configurations.

I WILL:

Recognize and recall the different parts of the stage, stage directions, and curtains.

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TEKS TECHNICAL THEATRE I

1.1A define standard vocabulary in costumes, lights, makeup, theatre management, properties, scenery, and sound;

1.1B recognize the technical elements of theatre such as types of stages, stage areas, fly systems, curtains, front of house, dressing rooms, and storage;

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Stage Directions

The first stages in ancient theatre were “RAKED”, meaning they were at an angle to the audience.

“UPSTAGE” was elevated higher and the furthest away from the audience. This area is typically towards the back wall of a proscenium stage.

“DOWNSTAGE” was closer to ground level and the closest to the audience. This are is typically towards the front of the stage.

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Stage Directions

Stage directions are always from the perspective of the actor FACING the audience.

If you are center stage and you are facing the audience, your left is STAGE LEFT and your right is STAGE RIGHT

House directions are always from the perspective of the audience facing the stage.

If you are an audience member and you are facing the stage, your left is HOUSE LEFT and your right is HOUSE RIGHT.

House Left

House Right

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Stage Curtains

The main curtain of any proscenium stage is always made of a luxury velvet like fabric called Velour. It comes in a wide range of colors and usually matches a school color, such as in a high school or university. Because this curtain is so special we refer to it as GRAND. The skinny curtain that stretches across the top is called the Grand Valance. The two side pieces that stretch from top to bottom are known as once piece, the GRAND DRAPE.

The curtains located behind the grand drape are always made of a black velour. While this fabric is also velvet-like it is a lesser quality than the GRAND DRAPE and VALANCE. These curtains come in sets and we see multiples of them across the depth of the stage. The skinny, black curtains that stretches across the top from left to right are called BORDERS. Sometimes they are referenced as teasers. The long curtains located on the sides that stretch from top to bottom are called LEGS. You can remeber their name because your legs go all the way to the floor and these legs also go all the way to the floor.

The last curtain we will discuss is located in the white space in the back. It is a huge, white curtain known as the CYCLORAMA or CYC for short. Lighting Designers use it as a background to shine colored lights on it. Used in a production we are able to create sunsets, moon lights, and other environmental effects that can help audiences decipher time in the world of the play. A trick to remember the CYC is sky, kinda sounds like cyc and also has three letters.

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Stage Configurations

Proscenium �Audience on one side

Arena (In The Round)�Audience on all sides

Thrust�Audience on three sides

There are three types of main stage configurations. Theatre can be performed in practically any space but these are the most common.

A Proscenium stage is designed like a picture frame, where the audience is seated in the front and only sees one side, the front. When viewed from the top it has three walls and an opening for the audience to see. It consists of an apron which is an extension of the stage that is built outward towards the audience. It is used as an acting space much of the time.

A Thrust stage is very open and has audience members on three sides. The back, upstage side of a thrust stage is used for entrances, exits or scenery storage during a production. An example of a thrust stage is fashion runways.

An Arena stage is one of the hardest stages to design or direct a production in. It has audience members on all four sides and is called “Theatre-in-the-Round”. When designing scenery for theatre-in-the-round, technicians have to make sure it is painted in every nook and cranny and every edge must be finished so that the audience is not distracted or taken out of the world of the play. Blocking can be difficult in this type of stage. Blocking is the arrangement/mapping or path actors take when performing. An example of an arena stage is a football stadium.