Why is it called a raked stage?

English theatre stages in the Middle Ages and early Modern era typically sloped upwards away from the audience. This is known as a rake or raked stage and improves the view and sound for the audience.

Likewise, why is it called downstage?

So, Stage Right and Stage Left make sense. But why Upstage and Downstage? The terminology comes from the days in which the audience seats were on a flat floor and the stage was tilted (razed) toward the audience, so that everyone on the audience floor could see the performance.

Also Know, what is a raked auditorium? RAKED AUDITORIUM. Audience seating area which is sloped, with it's lowest part nearest the stage. RAKED STAGE. A sloping stage which is raised at the back (upstage) end. Many theatres with a 'stalls' seating area used to be built with raked stages as a matter of course.

In this manner, when was the raked stage invented?

Raked stages have been around since the 16th century, but have lost popularity in the past century, in favor of raking the audience seating area instead—think of the “stadium seating” you see at the movie theatre. To quote the New York Times, today “almost all American stages have flat floors.”

What is the maximum rise allowed for a raked stage?

AEA says that any rake up to 3/4" per foot is acceptable. Over that you would have to add a rider to all the contracts and pay hazard pay. For ADA ramps (not exactly comparable to raked stages, but an acceptable analogy) "The maximum slope of a ramp in new construction shall be 1:12."

24 Related Question Answers Found

Which way is down stage?

“Upstage” means away from the audience, towards the back of the playing area. “Downstage” means close to the audience, near the front of the playing area.

What is downstage left?

An actor who turns to his or her right is moving stage right, while an actor who turns to his or her left is moving stage left. The front of the stage, called downstage, is the end closest to the audience. "Upstage" refers to the section of the stage that was higher, while "downstage" refers to the area that was lower.

What is upstage right?

upstage (US) (noun) the part of the stage farthest from the audience. (adverb or adjective) toward or at the rear part of the stage, farthest from the audience. also upstage left (USL), upstage right (USR)

What does it mean to upstage someone?

When you upstage someone, the audience's focus shifts from that person to you. Another way to use the verb upstage is to describe the acting technique of moving back on the stage, away from the audience, so that another actor must turn her back toward them.

What is cheat out in Theatre?

When actors "cheat out," they position themselves towards the audience, they share their bodies and voices so that audiences can see and hear them better. To "Cheat Out" means that the performer readjusts his or her body with an audience in mind.

Which is stage left?

adverb. Stage left is the left side of the stage for an actor who is standing facing the audience. He entered stage left. You may also like.

What are the 9 stage directions?

Stage directions include center stage, stage right, stage left, upstage, and downstage. These guide the actors to one of the nine sections of the stage named after the center and four directions. Corners are referred to as up right, down right, up left, and down left.

What does masking mean in drama?

masking. mask·ing. noun. Physiology The concealment or screening of one sensory process or sensation by another. A piece of theatrical scenery used to conceal a part of the stage from the audience.

What is a flat stage?

A flat (short for scenery flat) or coulisse is a flat piece of theatrical scenery which is painted and positioned on stage so as to give the appearance of buildings or other background. Flats can be soft covered (covered with cloth such as muslin) or hard covered (covered with decorative plywood such as luan).

What is the meaning of proscenium stage?

The proscenium of a theater stage is a structure in front of the stage that frames the action of the play. It can be square or arched, and the stage curtain is generally directly behind it. The ancient Greeks gave us the modern concept of theater and, with it, the proscenium, one of the divisions of the stage.

What is a black box play?

In its most basic description, a Black Box Theatre is a simple, open space consisting of four walls, a floor, and a ceiling that are all painted black. The use of staging and lighting in Black Box Theatres can range from extremely minimal to very elaborate, depending on the performance.

What are sight lines in Theatre?

A sightline (also sight line) or visual axis is a normally unobstructed line of sight between an intended observer (or spectator) and a subject of interest, such as a stage, arena, or monument. Sightlines are a particularly important consideration in theatre and stadium design, road junction layout and urban planning.

What is a house in Theatre?

More specifically, the house refers to any area in the theatre where the audience is seated. This can also include aisles, the orchestra pit, control booth, balconies and boxes. The orchestra pit is the closest to the audience. Auditorium: The section of the theatre designated for the viewing of a performance.

What is in the round stage?

Theatre-in-the-round, also spelled theater-in-the-round, also called arena stage, central stage, or island stage, form of theatrical staging in which the acting area, which may be raised or at floor level, is completely surrounded by the audience.

What is proscenium arch in drama?

A proscenium (Greek: προσκήνιον) is the metaphorical vertical plane of space in a theatre, usually surrounded on the top and sides by a physical proscenium arch (whether or not truly "arched") and on the bottom by the stage floor itself, which serves as the frame into which the audience observes from a more or less

What is a thrust stage used for?

A thrust stage is a performance space in which the stage breaks through and extends well past the proscenium arch. It reaches out into the auditorium, so that it is surrounded on three sides by the audience. This makes a dynamic performance space that creates exciting visual opportunities.

What does apron mean in theater?

The apron is any parts of the stage that extends past the proscenium arch and into the audience or seating area. The Elizabethan stage, which was a raised platform with the audience on three sides, is the outstanding example. Most stages edges are curved slightly outward providing a very small apron.