WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Drama: Designing Drama

LIgHtiNg ANd SoUnD Staging also affects where lanterns and speakers can be positioned and whether or not projection screens can be used. STAGE SPACE AND SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS All types of theatre designers need to create their designs with close regard to the relationship between acting areas and audience. This relationship will partly depend on how a stage or performance area is arranged. FOCUS The demands of different staging configurations and their influence on all designers. ASSESSMENT CHECK Learning about staging configurations is a key part of AO3: ‘Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how drama and theatre is developed and performed.’ Stage configurations You need to be aware of the different types of stage configurations and the advantages they offer and difficulties they present for theatre designers. The proscenium arch gives a picture- frame effect above and on each side of an end-on stage. Proscenium arch stage Possible advantages • Typically Victorian staging: highly appropriate for classical or period plays in a traditional style. Musicals are often staged on prosceniums. • Creates an intimate acting area. • Usually includes a small apron area in front of the curtain that can be used for performance during scene changes. • Gives the audience a sense of peeking into another world. • Audience seating and/or the stage is often raked to improve sightlines. • Backdrops, projections and large pieces of scenery work well. • Straightforward in terms of lighting and sound design. • Detail in costume and set is not crucial as the audience is at a distance. • Footlights work well and offer additional lighting angles. Potential problems • Sightlines are problematic as the side panels of the arch might obscure parts of the stage for some of the audience. • Pillared seating areas can also reduce visibility for the audience. • If the stage is raked, anything on wheels must be wedged or have brakes. • Many auditoriums have raised circles, which means that some of the audience is distant and almost above the acting area. SEt The stage configuration is critically important as it affects the type and size of scenery that can be placed in and behind the acting areas. Varying amount of detail is required, depending on the proximity of the actors to the audience. COsTumE DESIGN TIP Arena staging is a form of theatre in the round. Ancient Greek theatres were arena stages and the term suggests performances on a large scale. 12 Understanding Design in Drama and Theatre