1. Introduction to Theatre Notes

2. Similarities and Differences in Television, Theatre, and Film

3. Television Film Theatre Prerecorded and edited Viewed Live
Intimate Medium
Large Casts
Both
Viewed in small and often private settings
Large screen suited for mass audiences and spectacle
Actual presence of actors helps establish unique audience/ player relationship

4. Television Film Theatre Can be filmed on location N/A
Actual lighting, weather, and environmental conditions can be recorded
Lighting must approximate time and conditions
“Flashbacks” can be shown immediately
“Flashbacks” are harder to convey

5. Television Film Theatre
The slightest movement, gesture, or sound is easily recorded by the camera
Voice and gestures may be exaggerated
Use of canned laughter stimulates the audience
N/A

6. The Performance Space

7. Types of Stages
Proscenium Stage: Like a picture frame. The audience sits on one side to watch the action through the frame (also known as the fourth wall). Often, curtains hide the scenery until the play begins.

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11. Continued…
Arena or In-the-round Stage: The audience sits all around it. The actors enter and exit from the aisles or sometimes from tunnels under the audience.

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15. Continued…
Thrust Stage: A combination of the arena and proscenium stages. The audience sits on two or three sides of the acting area, which projects, or thrusts, into the audience area from a rear wall, which has some kind of scenery. The actors enter and exit through the audience as in an arena stage and also through doors in the rear-wall scenery as in a proscenium stage.

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19. Theatre Layout Terms
The Lobby: The area where the audience gathers before, during intermission, and after performances. Restrooms, concession stands, and the ticket booth/box office are located in the lobby.
The House: The area where the audience sits.
Light and Sound Booth: Where the lighting and sound control boards are located. Located above the audience in the rear of the house.

20. Continued…
The Stage House: The area including the stage and the fly space above (where scenery and lights are suspended on ropes or “flown”).
Proscenium Arch: The picture frame through which the scenery and action are viewed.
Grand drape: The front curtain, which is typically made of luxurious fabric in deep colors.

21. Continued…
Apron: An acting area than extends forward beyond the arch on a proscenium stage.
Back wall: Separates the stage house from the backstage area.
Backstage: All areas other than the stage, house, and lobby in a theatre. The dressing rooms, make up rooms, and green room are backstage.

22. Continued…
Green Room: A lounge area in which actors may wait while not onstage or greet audience members after the performance.
Call Board: A bulletin board where rehearsal times, performance changes, and special notices are posted.

23. Stage and Body Positions

24. STAGE POSITIONS ARE FROM THE ACTOR’S POINT OF VIEW!!!
THE AUDIENCE
The Stage

25. THE STAGE IS DIVIDED INTO THREE AREAS ACROSS.
THE AUDIENCE
Left
Right
Center

26. THE STAGE IS DIVIDED INTO THREE AREAS FROM FRONT TO BACK
THE STAGE IS DIVIDED INTO THREE AREAS FROM FRONT TO BACK. UPSTAGE IS AWAY FROM THE AUDIENCE AND DOWNSTAGE IS TOWARD THE AUDIENCE. “THE ACTOR COMES DOWN TO THE AUDIENCE.”
THE AUDIENCE Up
Center
Down

27. THE ACTING AREA BECOMES A GRID OF 9 AREAS.
THE AUDIENCE
Up Right
Up Center
Up Left
Right Center
Center
Left Center
Down Right
Down Center
Down Left

28. So why is down stage down and up stage up???

29. In the Renaissance, stages were RAKED
In the Renaissance, stages were RAKED. They actually sloped down toward the audience to allow audience members to see the action.
Audience
Stage

31. Actor’s Body Positions
Full Front
Full Back
Profile Left
Profile Right
¼ Right
¾ Right
¾ Left
¼ Left