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Theatre Arts for Advanced Secondary Schools

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Figure 3. 1: Performance at an open space

Activity 3.1

Conduct a simple survey to identify areas where theatrical activities take
place in your community. Indicate whether the areas used for theatre
performances were meant for theatrical productions or other purposes.

Types of theatre performing spaces
Theatre performances usually take place in a performing area. The basic types of
performing spaces are proscenium, arena and thrust stage. Apart from the basic
types, there are other types of performing spaces where theatre can take place.
These include found, black box and mobile stage. While in Africa a performing
space can be anywhere provided that it serves the purpose, in the Western
perspective, a theatre performing space is always a space designed specifically
for theatrical performances. An idea that theatre performance should take place in
a space designed for theatrical purposes has been adapted in Africa and other parts
of the world. It is important to note that although there is such a transformation of
the concept of performing space in Africa, this transformation has not affected the
traditional African theatre. Most of the traditional African performances still take
place in open spaces. This is particularly the case in rural areas. Performances
still take places under trees, big stones, in forests or at playgrounds.

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