Chapter 10Forestage Zone

The forestage is the three-dimensional zone where a proscenium stage and auditorium meet. The forestage geometry may be static or flexible, but it is always a transition zone between performance space and audience space. Very often the forestage has movable parts to create an extension of the stage apron, additional audience seating, or orchestra pits of differing sizes. It may be heavily equipped with rigging, lighting, and audio technology to allow the extension of the production design into the auditorium.

This chapter examines the typical elements and design considerations of the forestage zone, but keep in mind that it’s a rare theater space that incorporates all of the elements described here. We’ll start at stage ...

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