When planning an event at the Event Centre in London, it is essential to consider the designated area for performers or speakers to prepare before the event. This includes technical, performance and preparation aspects, as well as areas visible to the public such as the control box. It is also important to consider the size of the audience and the objectives of the event when selecting a performance space. A theater with a proscenium arch is what many people consider to be a traditional theatrical space, which developed from the Victorian tendency to want to see a production through an ornate frame.
It will contain two curtains, one made of fabric, which usually comes down from above the arch behind the scenes to hide the set until the performance begins. This is known as a house curtain. A metal curtain, known as an iron curtain or safety curtain, is a fire safety device used to separate the auditorium and the stage in the event of a fire. The stage extends to areas on both sides, which are known as wings because of the fabric or built dividers that allow artists to enter and leave the stage without being seen by the public.
It's also the place where large accessories and sets are kept when not in use and where quick changes can be made if there's no time to use a dressing room. The immediate corner is also usually located on the wings on the left of the stage. From here, the caller to the show (a member of the stage management team) records the lighting, sound, other technical changes and the cast's movements through headphones that connect them to the costumes, the green room and the control box. Sometimes the person calling the program will be in the control box with the technical operators, as they have a better view.
Once backstage, the cast and crew can move further backstage, to dressing rooms and other backstage areas. The space above the stage is known as a flight tower and grille. This is an area directly above the stage, which is at least one and a half times higher than the proscenium arch. All departments use bars for rigging items such as lights, speakers and curtains. Most are rigged and then left in a fixed place; however, elements of sets can come and go (with bars moving up and down) to move them in and out of public view when necessary for a scene.
Occasionally, artists also fly. A black curtain usually hangs in front of back wall of stage, allowing cast and crew to hide from site while moving backstage. It usually has white fabric (stretched curtain) in front, known as cyclorama, which can be projected with lighting and AV to provide background for scenes on stage. Other fabrics mounted on bars include painted fabrics that are particularly used in ballet, musicals, opera and pantomimes. The last set of backstage spaces are those intended for maintenance of all equipment and elements used during performances. Closet is general term for clothing department, as well as spaces where costumes are made and stored.
The closet also includes other functions such as wig room and laundry room. There will also be series of workshops. Most theaters will have some type of technology workshop in which lighting, sound and AV equipment owned by venue is maintained and stored. Larger theaters may also have workshop where props, stage and stage are built and maintained. When deciding how to organize audience seating, carefully consider objectives of your event.
We have found that round tables arranged in shape of crescent are usually best to promote debate and allow optimal view of performance. An audience member who can't properly watch performance will be disconnected. It is essential to choose a performance space that offers all members of public clear vision of performance. Rooms that have support pillars are not always suitable for presentations of this type. Another common obstacle to visibility is actually heads of other audience members.
Larger audiences may require performance increase across platforms. Does room have writing surface (whiteboard or blackboard)? Our facilitator will need writing surface during part of session she leads. If there aren't any available in space, we ask you to provide mobile whiteboard or two flip charts (with adhesive paper) and easels. How should space be organized? Is there room nearby that could serve as green room for actors? These are all important questions you'll need to consider before you finish selecting space. The space you select will obviously have to adapt to size of your intended audience; however keep in mind that there's almost always difference between audience you're targeting (and even those who RSVP) and those who will actually attend event. You want your venue to closely match size of your audience; a space that is too large for group can hinder conversation and unnecessarily dissipate energy of performance. In large auditoriums with more seats than expected we recommend agreeing on back rows and encouraging people to sit towards front of space; often one of main objectives of player session is to encourage conversations between attendees about problems they see in our performances. When deciding how organize audience seating carefully consider objectives of your event; we have found that round tables arranged in shape of crescent are usually best promote debate and allow optimal view performance. An audience member who can't properly watch performance will be disconnected understandably; it is essential choose performance space that offers all members public clear vision performance. Rooms that have support pillars are not always suitable for presentations this type; another common obstacle visibility is actually heads other audience members. Larger audiences may require performance increase across platforms; does room have writing surface (whiteboard or blackboard)? Our facilitator will need writing surface during part session she leads. If there aren't any available in space we ask you provide mobile whiteboard or two flip charts (with adhesive paper) easels; how should space be organized? These are all important questions you'll need to consider when selecting a performance space at Event Centre London.
