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Theatre Arts for Advanced Secondary Schools

Advantages of arena stage
Using arena stage for performances has a number of benefits.

(a) The audience feel closer to action. Unlike the audience proscenium stage,
the audience of the arena stage feel closer to what is happening on stage.
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Therefore, they get emotionally engaged in the action.

(b) It is a multipurpose stage. Apart from theatrical performance, arena stage
can be used for other purposes such as conducting meetings, and praying.
This is especially the case in old arena stage.
(c) It accommodates large audience. The arena stage accommodates large
audience because it has a huge area for sitting. The sitting arrangement
allows the audience to sit in all sides.

(d) It enhances concentration of performers: Performers in this kind of stage
are closer to the audience. This makes performers concentrate fully on
what they do.

(e) It creates a clear view to the audience. Audience in arena can see the
performance clearly. This is because of intimacy relationship between
performers and the audience resulting from the seats that are placed in all
sides. The aisles located where the audience sit enable the audience to see
the performers before they reach the stage.

Disadvantages of arena stage

(a) It does not allow elaborative scenery. If it did, it would block the view of
the audience as a result of crowded properties. Thus, there is limited use
of stage properties in arena stage to avoid destructing the audience from
viewing the performance.

(b) Backstage to mask performers is far. Freedom of performers during
performance is very limited. While the old arena stage does not have a
place for changing costumes, a new arena stage offers a it, though it is far
away from the performing area. Thus, the stage does not support a swift
change of costumes. Figure 3.11 shows the built arena stage and its aisles.

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THEATRE ART F5 fnl.indd 66 28/06/2024 15:04