🎭History of Theatre I Unit 12 – Theatre Architecture & Stagecraft Evolution

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Proscenium arch frames the stage opening and separates the audience from the performers
• Thrust stage extends into the audience on three sides, providing a more intimate experience
• Apron is the part of the stage that extends beyond the proscenium arch, closer to the audience
• Fly system consists of ropes, pulleys, and counterweights used to raise and lower scenery and lighting equipment
  • Allows for quick scene changes and special effects
• Cyclorama is a large curved curtain or wall at the back of the stage used for projections or as a backdrop
• Skenographia is the art of scene painting in ancient Greek theatre, creating the illusion of depth and perspective
• Periaktoi are triangular prisms with different scenes painted on each side, used for quick scene changes in ancient Greek theatre
• Deus ex machina is a plot device where a seemingly unsolvable problem is abruptly resolved by an unexpected intervention, often lowered onto the stage using a crane

Ancient Greek Theatre Architecture

• Greek theatres were built on hillsides, using the natural slope for seating and acoustics
• Orchestra was a circular space at the base of the theatre where the chorus performed and danced
• Skene was a wooden structure behind the orchestra that served as a backdrop and changing room for actors
  • Later evolved into a more permanent stone structure with columns and painted scenery
• Parodos were the two entrances on either side of the orchestra, used for the chorus and actors to enter and exit
• Theatron was the seating area, divided into three main sections: the lower (ikria), middle (diazoma), and upper (epitheatron)
• Capacity of Greek theatres could reach up to 14,000 spectators (Theatre of Dionysus in Athens)
• Acoustics were enhanced by the use of masks with built-in megaphones and the strategic placement of bronze vessels under the seats

Roman Theatre Innovations

• Roman theatres were built on flat ground, using concrete and stone for a more permanent structure
• Scaenae frons was an elaborate, multi-storied backdrop with columns, niches, and statues
  • Used for entrances and exits, as well as to display the wealth and power of the patron
• Vela were awnings that could be pulled over the audience to protect them from the sun and rain
• Vomitoria were the entrances and exits for the audience, leading to the seating areas
• Orchestra was reduced in size and eventually became a seating area for high-ranking officials
• Pulpitum was a raised stage in front of the scaenae frons, where the actors performed
• Capacity of Roman theatres could reach up to 20,000 spectators (Theatre of Pompey in Rome)
• Roman theatre introduced the use of curtains and trap doors for special effects and sudden appearances

Medieval Staging Practices

• Liturgical drama was performed in churches, using the altar and aisles for different scenes
• Mansions were small structures representing various locations (Heaven, Hell, Jerusalem) placed around the playing area
• Pageant wagons were mobile stages used in mystery plays, moving from one location to another
  • Each wagon represented a different scene or story from the Bible
• Simultaneous staging involved multiple mansions or wagons visible at the same time, with the audience moving between them
• Neutral playing space was an open area between the mansions or wagons where most of the action took place
• Special effects included the use of trapdoors, flying machinery, and pyrotechnics for divine interventions and supernatural events
• Actors used the natural daylight and minimal props, relying on dialogue and gestures to convey the story

Renaissance Theatre Design

• Perspective scenery was introduced, using painted backdrops and angled wings to create the illusion of depth
• Proscenium arch became a prominent feature, framing the stage and separating the audience from the performers
• Apron stage extended beyond the proscenium arch, allowing actors to interact more closely with the audience
• Changeable scenery was made possible by the use of wings and shutters that could be moved or rotated
  • Allowed for multiple locations to be represented in a single play
• Lighting techniques improved with the use of candles, oil lamps, and reflectors to illuminate the stage
• Machinery such as trapdoors, flying systems, and cloud machines were used for special effects and scene changes
• Private theatres emerged, catering to a more elite audience and featuring a rectangular shape with a raised stage

Technological Advancements in Stagecraft

• Gas lighting replaced candles and oil lamps in the early 19th century, providing a brighter and more controllable light source
• Limelight, produced by heating calcium oxide, was used as a spotlight to highlight individual actors
• Electric lighting became prevalent in the late 19th century, allowing for more precise control and special effects
  • Colored gels and filters were used to create mood and atmosphere
• Hydraulic stages were introduced, enabling complex scene changes and special effects through the use of lifts and elevators
• Revolving stages, popularized by Karl Lautenschläger, allowed for quick and seamless scene changes
• Computerized lighting and sound systems in the late 20th century provided unprecedented control and automation
  • Moving lights, LED technology, and digital sound processing enhanced the sensory experience
• Projection mapping and video integration have become increasingly common, blending live performance with digital media

Notable Theatres and Their Impact

• Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Italy (1585) is the oldest surviving indoor theatre, featuring a fixed perspective set
• Globe Theatre in London (1599) was associated with William Shakespeare and exemplified the Elizabethan playhouse design
  • Open-air theatre with a thrust stage, tiered seating, and a central "heavens" for aerial effects
• Drottningholm Palace Theatre in Sweden (1766) is the best-preserved 18th-century theatre, with its original stage machinery still intact
• La Scala in Milan, Italy (1778) is one of the most renowned opera houses, known for its excellent acoustics and lavish productions
• Festspielhaus in Bayreuth, Germany (1876) was designed by Richard Wagner specifically for his epic operas, featuring a sunken orchestra pit and a darkened auditorium
• Radio City Music Hall in New York City (1932) is a prime example of Art Deco design and a masterpiece of modern stagecraft, with its hydraulic stage and intricate lighting system
• National Theatre in London (1976) is a complex of three auditoriums (Olivier, Lyttelton, and Dorfman) that showcase the versatility of modern theatre architecture and technology

Modern Interpretations and Adaptations

• Black box theatres offer a flexible and intimate performance space, with movable seating and minimal fixed scenery
• Site-specific theatre takes performances out of traditional venues and into unique locations (abandoned buildings, public spaces, natural environments)
  • Immersive experiences blur the line between audience and performers
• Promenade theatre encourages the audience to move through the performance space, following the action and interacting with the environment
• Multimedia performances integrate live acting with video projections, digital effects, and interactive technology
  • Augmented reality and virtual reality experiences expand the boundaries of traditional theatre
• Accessible theatre design focuses on inclusivity, with features such as wheelchair ramps, audio description, and sign language interpretation
• Sustainable theatre practices prioritize eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient lighting, and waste reduction in set construction and production
• Multicultural adaptations and diverse casting challenge traditional Western theatre norms and provide representation for underrepresented communities