Theatre anywhere – Designing stages in non-traditional performance spaces

Abstract

This thesis is analysing theatre stages and performances in non-traditional performance spaces. It starts by exploring the ‘theatre frame as a place for viewing’ with theoretical ideas and concepts that are defining the stage. It looks into architectural concepts like the classifications of stage arrangements and their connection to the auditorium to make the stage-audience relationship understandable.

As watching a traditional theatrical piece seems not to be enough anymore, this thesis aims for the question: What defines theatre space and how is the history of a found (and non-traditional theatrical) space contextualised within the performance.

These insights are connected with places and examples for performances in non-traditional theatre spaces. Found spaces are introduced with their historic context and contextualised with the performed pieces. The case study includes: MASSE with Staatsballett Berlin @ Halle am Berghain, Floß der Medusa @ Hangar 1 Tempelhof, RIAS Kammerchor @ Kraftwerk Berlin.

Bringing a theatrical performance into a non-traditional theatre space adds new layers of narrative to it. By interweaving traditional theatre stage arrangements and audience-performer-relationships into the nature of found or adapted non-traditional theatre spaces, new ways of storytelling can be developed. The choice for a place transforms a conventional event into a multi-layered happening where spectators are invited to engage with both the theatrical piece and the context in which it is presented.

Keywords

Stage Design _ Theatre Design _ Theatre Space _ Performance Space _ Theatre Concept _ Found Space _ Adaptive Reuse _ Non-traditional Performance Space _ Spatial Arrangement _ Stage-Audience Relationship _ Performer-Audience Relationship _ Theatre as Utopian Space _ Voyeurism in Theatre _ Interior Architecture _ Interior Design _ Spatial Experience _ Architectural Heritage _ Industrial Architecture _ Post-industrial Space _ MASSE _ Staatsballett Berlin_ Halle am Berghain_ Floß der Medusa _ Hangar 1 Airport Tempelhof _ RIAS Kammerchor _ Kraftwerk Berlin