Chapter 9 discussed the different shapes that theatre have taken over the century: the proscenium stage, the thrust stage, the arena stage, and created and found spaces. Each type of space provides certain opportunities for production, as well as certain restrictions. The way a theater space is designed has a great impact on intimacy and economy, i.e., how many people can be fit into a space at what distance from the stage. Both shape and size affects the aesthetic distance the audience experiences during a production.
The video clips explore two different theater spaces: Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and Adolph Appia's redesign of the proscenium stage. Issues of visibility, acoustics, and intimacy are discussed, as well as how the spaces are used by actors and designers.
CREDITS: Video clip #931 from "Shakespeare and the Globe"; Video clip #3366 from "The Design of Modern Theatre: Adolphe Appia's Innovations"; Video footage used with the permission of Films for the Humanities & Sciences ®, Princeton, NJ. All Rights Reserved.
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