As someone who has been going to see shows since they were three years old, I can definitely say that I’ve been in a lot of different theatres. I’ve seen shows in ranges from the giant theatres of a Broadway show, to the tiny audience room in spaces that aren’t even theatres, and even some outdoor shows. Theatre can be big, and theatre can be small. There’s so much wiggle room when it comes to that sort of thing. And the really beautiful thing is that plays can be a wonderful experience, whether you’re in a theatre that seats 75 or a theatre that seats 1,933 (which The Gershwin Theatre does).
The beautiful thing about theatre is that there are ways to enjoy it no matter what the size and setup of the theatre is. There are many different ways to set up an audience, such as theatre in the round, where the stage is in the center and the audience is all around, or a thrust formation, where the audience is seated around three sides of the stage. Blackbox theatres are really great, because you can arrange accordingly. I’d say you see this a lot more in smaller theatres where rearranging seats is possible.
Sometimes shows are in spaces not intended to be theatres…but who are we to say whether or not a space is a theatre or not? When the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival did Bare, the space was definitely not a traditional theatre. That was just what it was being used for for that show. I’ve seen shows in churches, which is a very interesting experience. Something I love is when the shows make these spaces work. It doesn’t have to be traditional, and it doesn’t have to be an actual theatre for the magic to be there.
When I saw Hair in Central Park, the stage was barely a stage at all, and we all sat in folding chairs. I think this is just the setup of the stage, but it was definitely really cool. Something this enabled them to do was blur the lines between the actors and the audience. At the end of the show, they brought the audience up to dance onstage…something they also did when the show moved to Broadway, but the outdoor space was a super cool experience. Part of my thoughts with this sort of thing is that it has to be the right show to be on a stage like that. You have to make sure your show works in a space, especially if it’s not a traditional one.
I love the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. I’ve been to a ton of shows there over the years. It’s a really big theatre, being able to seat 2,509. And I’ve sat all over that theatre for different things. Is there a difference between sitting up higher and sitting in the orchestra section? Absolutely. But the space is really wonderful, and really beautiful. A beautiful theatre can really enhance a theatre experience, and I think the Academy does. I also think being in an audience that big is an amazing experience.
Hedgerow Theatre, on the other hand, can seat 144. I think what I love about small theatres like that is the intimacy of them. I know I’ve written about how much I love seeing shows at Hedgerow, and the feeling I get being in a dark theatre with not a ton of people. I do really like that feeling of not sharing a show with an overwhelming amount of people. There’s so much wonder and intensity in a theatre that small, and it really evokes a lot. There’s no bad seat in the house, and everyone is a little bit closer.
There are absolutely so many pros and cons to both big theatres and small theatres. I’ve had absolutely mind blowing experiences in both. It’s so important to support shows, no matter how big or small the space is. I think that’s something I really do love about all sizes and shapes of theatre. Each one is going to mold and create a different experience. Whether I’m in the top floor of an old church or in the balcony with thousands of other audience members, I’m going to be getting a totally unique experience.
And I think that really is the takeaway- that theatres come in all shapes and sizes. Maybe the space is meant to be a theatre, and maybe it isn’t. Maybe you’re sitting in folding chairs. Maybe you’re sitting on the side of a stage rather than in front of it. The important thing is that you’re going to be experiencing the magic of theatre, and that space is going to transform as needed. I’ve had wondrous experiences in all sorts of spaces. And whether they’re “meant” to be theatres or not, that’s absolutely what they become when I’m watching a show.
Small shows can take place on big stages, and big shows can take place on small stages. You just have to really feel it, and remember that what you’re being a part of is total magic. It’s wrong to judge either way…and I think most theatre goers, especially regular ones, totally know that that’s true. Next time you see a show, take a moment to appreciate your surroundings. The magic is in the walls, and I think you can feel it if you just take the time.
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