Theatre in the round
From Free net encyclopedia
Theatre "In The Round" , or arena theatre, is any theatre space in which the audience is seated on all sides of the stage. In an arena theater, there is an audience on every side of the performers; in effect there are four fourth walls. The stage itself in this arrangement is typically round, square, or triangular, with actors entering and exiting through the audience from different directions or from below the stage. Such a space is usually configured with the stage on an even level with or lowered below the audience in a "pit" or "arena" formation. This configuration lends itself to high-energy productions, and is especially favored by producers of classical theatre. Theatre in the round was common in ancient theatre, particularly that of Greece and Rome, but was not widely explored again until the latter half of the 20th century; it has continued as a creative alternative to the more common Proscenium format.
Theater in the round presents problems since actors at all times have their back facing some members of the audience. However, it also allows for interesting and realistic staging. The configuration is also commonly employed when theatrical performances are presented in non-traditional spaces such as restaurants, public areas such as fairs or festivals, or street theatre. Special consideration needs to be taken in regard to the set design, so as not to obscure any audience member's view of the performance.
There are only two theatre buildings in the United States that were built as "in the round" houses. The first is the Penthouse Theatre, located at the University of Washington in Seattle which opened in 1940. The second is the Ula Love Doughty Carousel Theatre, located at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Many studio theatres, which often have easily-modifiable seating areas, are configurable into an in-the-round format.
see also: thrust stage, arena
Theatres in the round
- United States
- Arena Stage, Washington, D.C.
- Circle Rep, New York City
- Ula Love Doughty Carousel Theatre, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theatre, Seattle, Washington
- The Wells Fargo Pavillion, Sacramento, California used for the summer stock company MUSIC CIRCUS part of CALIFORNIA MUSICAL THEATRE
- The Barksdale Theater in Richmond, Virginia
- The Irish Classical Theatre in Buffalo, New York
- Longstreet Theatre at the University of South Carolina
- TITR at Seton Hall University [1]