Black box theater
Encyclopedia
The black box theater (or experimental theater) is a relatively recent innovation, consisting of a simple, somewhat unadorned performance
space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor.
or open space in any building can be transformed into a black box, including abandoned café
s and stores
, the appeal for nonprofit and low-income artists is high. The black box is also considered by many to be a place where more "pure" theater can be explored, with the most human and least technical elements being in focus.
The concept of a building designed for flexible staging techniques can be attributed to Swiss designer Adolphe Appia
, circa 1921, and instigated a half century of innovations in the relationship between audience and performers. Antonin Artaud
also had ideas of a stage of this kind. The first flexible stage in America (not a proper Black Box due to the domestic decor) was located in the home living room of actor/manager Gilmor Brown in Pasadena, CA. This venue, and two subsequent permutations, were known as the Playbox Theatre, and functioned as an experimental space for Brown's larger venue, the Pasadena Playhouse
.
or other performances with very basic technical arrangements, such as limited set
s, simple lighting
effects, and an intimate focus on the story, writing, and performances rather than technical elements. The seating is typically composed of loose chairs on platforms, which can be easily moved or removed to allow the entire space to be adapted to the artistic elements of a production. Common floor plans include thrust stage
, modified thrust stage, and arena
.
College
s and other theater training programs employ the black box theater because the space is versatile and easy to change. Many theater training programs will have both a large proscenium
theater, as well as a black box theater. Not only does this allow two productions to be mounted simultaneously, but they can also have a large extravagant production in the main stage while having a small experimental show in the black box.
Black Box spaces are also popular at Fringe theater festivals; due to their simple design and equipment they can be used for many performances each day. This simplicity also means that a Black box theater can be adapted from other spaces, such as hotel conference rooms. This is prevalent at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe where the larger venues will hire entire buildings and divide each room to be rented out to several theater companies.
"The Black Box Theatre" in Oslo, Norway is an example theater of this type.
s, with a low pipe grid overhead. Newer black boxes typically feature catwalk
s or tension grid
s, the latter combining the flexibility of the pipe grid with the accessibility of a catwalk.
The interiors of most black box theaters are, true to their name, painted black. The absence of color not only gives the audience a sense of "anyplace" (and thus allows flexibility from play to play or from scene to scene), it also allows individual lighting cues to be that much stronger.
Performance
A performance, in performing arts, generally comprises an event in which a performer or group of performers behave in a particular way for another group of people, the audience. Choral music and ballet are examples. Usually the performers participate in rehearsals beforehand. Afterwards audience...
space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor.
History
Black box theaters became popular and widespread particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, during which low-cost experimental theater was being actively practiced as never before. Since almost any warehouseWarehouse
A warehouse is a commercial building for storage of goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. They usually have loading docks to load and unload...
or open space in any building can be transformed into a black box, including abandoned café
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
s and stores
Retailing
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
, the appeal for nonprofit and low-income artists is high. The black box is also considered by many to be a place where more "pure" theater can be explored, with the most human and least technical elements being in focus.
The concept of a building designed for flexible staging techniques can be attributed to Swiss designer Adolphe Appia
Adolphe Appia
Adolphe Appia , son of Red Cross co-founder Louis Appia, was a Swiss architect and theorist of stage lighting and décor.Appia is best known for his many scenic designs for Wagner’s operas...
, circa 1921, and instigated a half century of innovations in the relationship between audience and performers. Antonin Artaud
Antonin Artaud
Antoine Marie Joseph Artaud, more well-known as Antonin Artaud was a French playwright, poet, actor and theatre director...
also had ideas of a stage of this kind. The first flexible stage in America (not a proper Black Box due to the domestic decor) was located in the home living room of actor/manager Gilmor Brown in Pasadena, CA. This venue, and two subsequent permutations, were known as the Playbox Theatre, and functioned as an experimental space for Brown's larger venue, the Pasadena Playhouse
Pasadena Playhouse
The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic performing arts venue located 39 S El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California. The 686-seat auditorium produces a variety of cultural and artistic events, professional shows, and community engagements each year.-History:...
.
Use
Such spaces are easily built and maintained, and are usually home to playsPlay (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
or other performances with very basic technical arrangements, such as limited set
Set construction
Set construction is the process by which a set designer works in collaboration with the director of a production to create the set for a theatrical, film or television production...
s, simple lighting
Lighting
Lighting or illumination is the deliberate application of light to achieve some practical or aesthetic effect. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources such as lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylight...
effects, and an intimate focus on the story, writing, and performances rather than technical elements. The seating is typically composed of loose chairs on platforms, which can be easily moved or removed to allow the entire space to be adapted to the artistic elements of a production. Common floor plans include thrust stage
Thrust stage
In theatre, a thrust stage is one that extends into the audience on three sides and is connected to the backstage area by its up stage end. A thrust has the benefit of greater intimacy between performers and the audience than a proscenium, while retaining the utility of a backstage area...
, modified thrust stage, and arena
Arena
An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...
.
College
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
s and other theater training programs employ the black box theater because the space is versatile and easy to change. Many theater training programs will have both a large proscenium
Proscenium
A proscenium theatre is a theatre space whose primary feature is a large frame or arch , which is located at or near the front of the stage...
theater, as well as a black box theater. Not only does this allow two productions to be mounted simultaneously, but they can also have a large extravagant production in the main stage while having a small experimental show in the black box.
Black Box spaces are also popular at Fringe theater festivals; due to their simple design and equipment they can be used for many performances each day. This simplicity also means that a Black box theater can be adapted from other spaces, such as hotel conference rooms. This is prevalent at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe where the larger venues will hire entire buildings and divide each room to be rented out to several theater companies.
"The Black Box Theatre" in Oslo, Norway is an example theater of this type.
Technical features
Most older black boxes were built more like television studioTelevision studio
A television studio is an installation in which a video productions take place, either for the recording of live television to video tape, or for the acquisition of raw footage for post-production. The design of a studio is similar to, and derived from, movie studios, with a few amendments for the...
s, with a low pipe grid overhead. Newer black boxes typically feature catwalk
Catwalk (theater)
A catwalk is an elevated service platform from which many of the technical functions of a theater, such as lighting and sound, may be manipulated.- Function :...
s or tension grid
Tension grid
A tension grid is a type of non-standard catwalk though it does not meet the structural standards of a traditional catwalk. It is composed of a tightly stretched grid of steel cables that create a taut floor that is strong enough for technicians to walk on....
s, the latter combining the flexibility of the pipe grid with the accessibility of a catwalk.
The interiors of most black box theaters are, true to their name, painted black. The absence of color not only gives the audience a sense of "anyplace" (and thus allows flexibility from play to play or from scene to scene), it also allows individual lighting cues to be that much stronger.