Proscenium

A proscenium theatre is a theatre space whose primary feature is a large archway (the proscenium arch) at or near the front of the stage, through which the audience views the play. The audience directly faces the stage, which is typically raised several feet above front row audience level. This design was by far the most common for theatre spaces in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries in Western theatre. The main stage is the space behind the proscenium arch, often marked by a curtain which can be lowered or drawn closed. The space in front of the curtain is called the "apron." Proscenium stages range in size from small enclosures to several stories tall.

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In general practice, a theatre space is referred to as a "proscenium" any time the audience directly faces the stage, with no audience on any other side, even if there is not a formal archway over the stage.

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The side of the stage that faces the audience is referred to as the "fourth wall".

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The phrase "breaking the proscenium" is also known as breaking the fourth wall: when the actor addresses the audience directly as part of the dramatic production.

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In German, this type of stage is referred to as Guckkastenb?hne.

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Alternative theatre layouts include the thrust stage and arena stage.

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Theatre: :For other usages see Theatre (disambiguation)...

Archway: Archway is an area in North London in the London Borough of Islington. Formerly North Holloway it became known as Archway when the construction of a tunnel for the Great North Road to Scotland failed due to repeated collapses and a large cutting designed by Thomas Telford as part of his improvements...

Proscenium arch: The proscenium arch is, in literal terms, the square frame around a raised stage area in traditional theatres. It presents a style of theatre which has persisted since Greek times and has as such as become an almost derrogatory term to many modern dramatists....