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Behind The Scenes GR 8 9

The document explores the relationship between actors and audiences in theatre, highlighting the historical development of performance spaces and their design elements. It discusses various types of theatre layouts, such as proscenium arch and arena stages, and emphasizes the importance of set design, props, and costumes in storytelling. Additionally, it outlines the roles of directors and various theatre jobs essential for production.

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Thabile Zamaqamu Mamosebo
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168 views28 pages

Behind The Scenes GR 8 9

The document explores the relationship between actors and audiences in theatre, highlighting the historical development of performance spaces and their design elements. It discusses various types of theatre layouts, such as proscenium arch and arena stages, and emphasizes the importance of set design, props, and costumes in storytelling. Additionally, it outlines the roles of directors and various theatre jobs essential for production.

Uploaded by

Thabile Zamaqamu Mamosebo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

BEHIND THE SCENES:

A look at designing theatre

Dramatic Arts – Grade 8/9 [Link]


The Actor & the audience
• Relationship between Actor &
Audience is as old as humanity. E.g.
storytelling around camp fires, Ritual
based actions.
• It is natural to gather in a circle about
a focal point. Think if the Rock Art
paintings of 5000 years ago.
• Theatre buildings in modern context
may not be ritual or holy places, but
actors attach a reverence and
significance to the space.
BACKSTAGE
History & this SPACE
 Through the ages the space has
developed…
 To improve the quality of
performances, practitioners
created buildings & machinery
to assist in telling the story or
create the illusion.
 Backstage areas: always
existed for performers to
prepare before they performed.
 The Proscenium Arch
introduced was
introduced to:
 Create forced
perspective/picture
frame
 Create the illusion of
reality/hide the
backstage areas.
 The RACKED STAGE used
to create height and
perspective.
The Theatre layout & terminology
The Floor Plan of a Pros Arch Stage
BACKSTAGE

BACKSTAGE
ACTING AREA
WINGS
(exit off stage into backstage)

APRON

ORCHESTRA PIT

AUDIENCE
PROSCENIUM
ARCH
Types of Spaces
An Ancient Greek AMPHITHEATRE
The audience views the production in a
semi-circular seating layout.
THRUST STAGE

The audience
views the
production on
three sides.
TRAVERSE STAGE
The audience views the production on two sides.
ARENA STAGE
Theatre in the round

The audience views


the production on
four sides/circular.
Types of theatre spaces
 Proscenium Arch / End stage
 audience views the action from ONE direction
through an arch
 AKA – the “Picture Frame” stage
 The 4th Wall performance
 Audience/Actors separated (Disadvantage?)
 Expensive for scenery / actor & audience sperate
 Arena / Theatre-in-the-Round
 audience views the action from FOUR
directions
 Action in the centre
 Advantage: intimate/close performance
 Disadvantages?
 Sightline issues for audience/direction/
no scenery
Theatre spaces cont.
 Thrust Stage
 audience views the action from THREE
direction
 Intimate, audience drawn into action
 Disadvantages?

 Traverse Stage
 audience views the action from TWO
direction
 AKA Corridor Stage / Catwalk stage
 Intimate, audience drawn into action
 Disadvantages?
Symbolism in Theatre
Set Design
Design components
 Rostra – Rostrum (aka the band riser) to
create height.
 Flats – for creating the environment
Drawing a PLAN VIEW

IMPORTANT:
• Label
• Comment
• Dimensions
WHAT IS WRONG?
Needs backing flats behind
the doors and windows!!
Props……PROPERTIES!
 Props: personal or stage e.g.
 Become creative with props
 Realist use

 Symbolic use

 Practical designs: can’t have


real food on stage every
night!
Hands on :
Costumes
 Most personal visual element
for audience: tells us the
who!
 The costume provides detail
about character. E.g.………..
 We can use:
 Colour e.g. …
 Period/Style e.g. …..
EXAMPLES
Costume Templates
Important:
 Template
 Label
 Comment
 Swatches
 Sizes
Make up….the process
Designing
Make-up
Important:
 Template
 Label
 Comment
 Colours or
Comment
 Sizes
ACTIVITY
 Create a costume for TWO of the following
archetypical characters:
 The boastful father
 The cruel stepmother
 The kindly old woman
 The beautiful maiden
 The wise old mentor

 WHY DO WE WEAR “BLACKS” FOR


PRACTICALS?
Acting Rules
 Never Break – Always stay in character
 Watch the habitual gestures!
 Acting is reacting
 Acting is visual AND aural
 Play the SUBTEXT! The audience could have read the
play at home!
 Listen to you co-stars as if you have never heard them
before. Live in the moment!
 Every movement must be motivated
 Never make eye contact with the audience. UNLESS?
 Follow the director he/she is in charge!!
 Build your emotions within a scene. You can only get so
angry and loud!!!
 USE STANISLAVSKI’S TECHNIQUES!
 Know your character’s motivations/objectives/through line
 Magic if….
 Visualisation
 Understand Context/Status/Conflicts
When the actor doesn’t know their lines

 Missed Cues
 Ad-lib
 Improvisation
The Role of the director:
A director is a mirror for the Actor!
 Upstaging
 Masking other actors
 Pick up Cues – too
slow!!
 Too much back and butt!
 Bad diction and
projection
 Slow Timing
 Habitual issues
Jobs in the Theatre
 Producers  Marketing Staff -
 Director Publicity
 Designers – Lights – Sound –  Shop Carpenters,
Scenery - Choreography Electricians, Machinists
 Stage Manager
 Technical Director
 Agents Managers
 Artistic Director  Public Relations
 House Manager  Booking Agent
 Theatre Manager  Ushers
 Prop Crew  Musicians
 Lighting Technician  Conductors
 Box Office Staff
 Concessions Staff
 Producers
 Actors  Casting Directors
 Singers  Accountant
 Dancers  Touring Manager

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