Question 1: Describe the main features of a proscenium stage and explain how it influences the audience's viewing experience.

Answer: A proscenium stage has a framed opening called the proscenium arch that separates the stage from the audience. It provides a 'picture frame' effect, directing the audience's focus inward and allowing for elaborate scenery and fixed stage elements. This setup creates a clear separation between performers and audience.

Question 2: List three advantages of using a thrust stage in a theatrical production.

Answer: 1. Creates an intimate atmosphere by placing the audience close to the action. 2. Allows for more dynamic staging and actor movement. 3. Facilitates a variety of scenic setups and versatile performance styles.

Question 3: Identify and describe two limitations of using a theatre in-the-round stage.

Answer: 1. Scenic design is limited because scenery must be visible from all angles. 2. Actor movement and blocking are more complex, as performers need to consider multiple audience perspectives.

Question 4: Compare a flexible/black box stage with a traditional proscenium stage in terms of staging possibilities.

Answer: A flexible or black box stage is an adaptable space with no fixed seating or stage, allowing for various configurations like arena, thrust, or promenade. It encourages experimental and innovative staging. In contrast, a proscenium stage has a fixed setup with an arch and proscenium opening, providing a traditional, formal viewing experience with designated seating and a clear stage area.

Question 5: Explain why a theatre company might choose a promenade stage for their production.

Answer: A promenade stage involves the audience moving around the space, engaging directly with the performance. This creates an immersive experience, encourages interaction, and can enhance storytelling by making the audience feel part of the action.

Question 6: Sketch a simple layout of a traverse stage and label its key features. (Use the space provided below.)

Answer: A traverse stage is a long, narrow stage with the audience seated on two opposite sides. Key features include the stage area in the middle, with space for audience viewing on either side. The sketch should show a rectangular stage with seating arrangements parallel to the stage, and labels indicating 'Stage' and 'Audience Seating'.

Question 7: Identify a stage type that is best suited for a courtroom scene and justify your choice.

Answer: A proscenium stage would be suitable because its framing allows for a formal setting that resembles a courtroom. It also provides space for detailed scenery and props, enhancing the realism of the scene.

Question 8: Describe how the audience's perspective differs between an arena stage and a thrust stage.

Answer: In an arena stage, the audience surrounds the stage on all sides, providing a 360-degree view and a highly immersive experience. In a thrust stage, the audience sits on three sides, offering a more intimate view than a proscenium but less surround than an arena, with the stage extending into the audience area.

Question 9: What are the advantages of using a flexible stage setup for experimental or avant-garde theatre productions?

Answer: Flexible stages allow for innovative staging and spatial arrangements, encouraging creativity and audience interaction. They enable the director to adapt the space to suit unconventional storytelling methods, making the performance more immersive and dynamic.