Theater (structure)
From ArticleWorld
The word theatre is used to describe both the performing art and the building in which theatre plays are performed. The structures have a similar arrangement of spaces and, although they are not a must have in shows (with alternatives such as outdoor stages or Street Theatres being sometimes used), are used for the vast majority of theatre shows. This is because you can find several areas that are needed in a bigger production. For instance we can name two of the most important as the actor facilities and sound and light facilities.
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Structural elements
No matter what theatre you visit there are some structure elements that are a must have. They are needed in most shows so they will be included in the building plans of most theatres. These are:
- Stage: This area is the most important one in a theatre. It is the acting space, the place where the actors will perform for an audience. Most theatres will have a stage that is fixed, while some of them will have the possibility of adapting the space to the needs of the theatre company that will put on the show.
- Technical Booth: This is where the sound and lights engineers will stay during a performance. It is an area that in most cases will face the stage. From here the music is played and the lights are controlled. The technical booth is a location that only allows access to the people involved in the play and the audience is forbidden to enter.
- Auditorium: This is a defined space in a theatre where the audience is seated. In most cases it will be a standard, defined location but in some structures there will be the possibility for altering it to serve the needs of the performance better. For example a stage can be placed in the middle of the theatre and that will make it necessary to put the audience seats facing it from all the sides, in a circle.