Exploring Different
Staging Modalities
Vis- a - Vis
Envisioning the
Script
Q UA RT E R 2 M O D U L E 4
Learning Competency
•Explore different staging
modalities vis-à-vis
envisioning the script
(HUMSS_CW/MPIjc-18)
[Link] is a stage?
[Link] are the types
of stage?
Staging Defined
• Staging is the process of picking out,
designing, changing or adjusting the
spaces for the performance for a play or
a movie. This does not refer only to the
stage, but it includes everything that you
do in order to bring the drama to life..
1. Different Stages
a. Proscenium theater- the
audience can view the
performance through the fourth
wall or picture frame. This means
that the house or the audience
can see the actors and actresses
on the stage from a single view. In
this type of stage, the audience
feels disconnected from the
actions, but it is easy to stage
your work in this space.
Apron is any
part of the
stage that
extends past
the proscenium
arch and into
the audience or
seating area
PROSCENIUM
STAGE
b. Arena
Stage- the
audience can
view the
performance
from all sides.
This is also
c. Thrust stage- the
audience can view the
performance in three
sides, in this stage, the
audience feels being
part of the actions and
there is an intimate
atmosphere created.
The performance can
utilize the backstage.
d. Traverse stage-
the audience is in
two sides of the
stage and are facing
each other. They can
see the work that
happens on both
sides but may see
entirely different
e. Experimental stage- this is
also known as an informal stage
or promenade theater. The
performance can be done in
front of the store, in the forest,
supermarket, beach and others
or indoor. The world is your
2. Stage Layouts/Directions
a. Upstage- this means away from the
stage front. In the proscenium stage,
this usually serves as the entrance or
exit of the performers. It is where
crosses or counter crosses of the actors
and actresses take place (see figure 1).
When a performer is on the upstage,
she/he can be seen as lesser important
b. Center stage- the center of
the playing area
c. Downstage- the area closest
to the audience, when a
character is placed in this area,
this leaves the impression that
3. The Script and other Influencing
Circumstances on Staging a Play
a. Scenery- includes any non-costume
visual element used in support of a
production. This is any nonpermanent two-or
three-dimensional background or
environmental element that is placed on the
stage so as to suggest the historical period,
locale, and mood of the play being
b. Script- is a form of writing in
the form of drama. It consists of
dialogues and information about
the characters like their age,
occupation and the relationship
of the characters.
c. Dialogues- are what the characters
say to each other. This is central to a
good drama. To make it sound realistic,
you need to read it aloud yourself. You
have to ask yourself these questions:
Where does this character come form?
What age are they?
What kind of person are
they?
What mood are they in?
Who are they talking to?
d. Structure- the order that action
and scenes are placed for dramatic
effect. This can be linear and non-
linear. When events in the play run
from beginning to end or in
chronological order, you have a
linear structure. When events unfold
from the present to the past or
e. Set-this is the scenery and the furniture on stage.
You can choose between elaborate and minimalist
set. The current trend, however, is the minimalist set.
f. Props- are the items held or used by
actors/actresses onstage to make the action more
realistic. When staging a drama always think of what
is necessary. Too many props can be very difficult for
the performers to use and as they are to be brought
on stage and off stage, they can slow down the
action.
g. Transition and Flow- this the
movement from one scene to
another. A messy transition like
interrupting the actions for
costume change or to rearrange
the set ruins the attention of the
audience.
h. Proxemics and Levels- this is how the
characters are on a stage. The distance or
level between character/actors shows their
relationships and feelings and give clues of
the situation or the people within the situation
at that moment. For instance, when
characters stand close to each other, this
gives the impression that they have intimate
relationship. If they are apart, you show the
idea that they must be stranger or no longer
i. Costume- special kind of
clothing’s on the body of the
characters on stage to help in the
dramatic action and the
interpretation of the script
contents. They can be everyday
clothes or symbolical ones. You can
j. Blocking- is not just the
movement of the performers on a
stage but this also reveals the
relationship of the actors and
actresses between each other and
one and another. This
communicates your interpretation
k. Audience awareness- along
with interpreting the script, it is
important to think of who the
audience is. This is a group of
individuals gathered at a certain
period and place for without any
other purposes but to see the
Activity:
Direction: Draw at least one
picture of the stage and
identify its type. Use Oslo
paper.