If the stage exceeds 50-ft high from stage floor to underside of roof or the floor above, some sort of protection for the proscenium opening is required (fire safety curtain, deluge system, etc). Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Why all these additional requirements? Stages are separated from the audience as another space, with robust fire protection requirements. Both codes assume a platform within an assembly occupancy will have a limited amount of fire load, because there won’t be scenery, extensive curtains, and the like. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/art/open-stage, thrust stage - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). The IBC definition then mentions that a platform does not have overhead hanging curtains. No wonder there’s confusion. Of course, we all know theatre people are nothing if not resourceful. Small informal space at Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI. Platform: A platform is a group of technologies that are used as a base upon which other applications, processes or technologies are developed. Of course, the definitions and annex information aren’t intended to be code, even if they are used by readers to interpret the requirements. By Observatorio Petrolero Sur, Buenos Aires, Argentina. They are also known as open stage theatres and sometimes as courtyard theatres. ASTC considers code development to be one of the most critical parts of its mission. The platform is a thing built within another occupancy. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. © 2020 American Society of Theatre Consultants, Let the Sunshine In – Daylight in Performing Arts Buildings. Omissions? No doubt almost every platform is called a “stage” by users. The distinction is quite important, with far-ranging and often expensive consequences. Is it a “stage” or a “platform”? room) a “platform” is no different than labeling an elephant an “eagle” – it’s not going to fly. IBC still requires standpipes, while NFPA 101 has eliminated the requirement in the 2018 version.

The IBC definition then mentions that a platform does not have overhead hanging curtains. Open stage, also called thrust stage, or platform stage, theatrical stage without a proscenium, projecting into the audience and surrounded on three sides by the audience. Codes are evolving in this area. From the late 17th century until the mid-20th century the proscenium stage dominated theatre, exposing only the front of the stage to the audience and lending itself well to attempts to create the illusion of reality, which formed the dominant movement in staging during that period. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.

IBC (2015), in Section 410.4, states requirements for the construction of the platform. NFPA 101 also addresses the construction of platforms in 12.4.6.2 (2015). Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre's first productions Much Ado About Nothing and Hercules were staged on a simple wooden, It caught his legs in between the slats of the stairs while the left side of his waist hit the, The event was held in the newly renovated Patio space, which includes a large, We told how: "Proud manager Kevin Keegan stood with his new signing on a specially built, The modern interiors include ornate walls and an art exhibition space featuring local and global artists, a shop to sell decor, and a, * Eureka Springs Music Park, a music sculpture park with an outdoor, Sometimes accents seem to go awry, and the steel girders which flank the, Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, Theatre company all set for historical drama, NEW VENTURES Startup eatery finds home in tech incubator, Tubatu, China's No.1 online home renovation platform may seek listing in Hong Kong soon upon Qeeka Home's IPO, Fukurou House opens in Emirates Financial Towers, Arts council bring coveted tourists to city, William Poel's 1927 production of Samuel Rowley's When You See Me, You Know Me, Platform Soldier Mission Readiness System, Platform Soldier-Mission Readiness System. Community theatres tend to be operated for local recreation, education, and commonly seek to obtain the patronage and production participation of the community as a whole. (Photo by author). A view through the proscenium to the stage of the Palace Theatre, Cleveland, OH. While this seems an easy question to answer, it often is a source of confusion when designing a space for performance. A stage that extends into the audience's portion of a theater beyond the usual location of the proscenium and often has seats facing it on three sides. – The G20 summit in Buenos Aires concludes Argentina’s G20 presidency.

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Platform+stage. So you want to make a platform or two to give your production more levels, but you’ve never made one before. Open stage, also called thrust stage, or platform stage, theatrical stage without a proscenium, projecting into the audience and surrounded on three sides by the audience. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Updates? Invited by William IV of Prussia to stage, Thrust stage theatres are those in which the stage thrusts out from one side of the space into the midst of the audience. Is it a “stage” or a “platform”? Stages are assumed to have much greater production capability. But none of this is required for a platform plopped down in a room along with seats, such as a church, concert hall, or banquet room. Celebratory performance marking the opening of the Globe Theatre in London, June 12, 1997. While this seems an easy question to answer, it often is a source of confusion when designing a space for performance.

Beyond that, there are no actual requirements for what happens on or above a platform. In personal computing, a platform is the basic hardware (computer) and software (operating system) on which software applications can be run. Hard to argue this is anything but a stage. Interestingly, the Annex of NFPA 101 (A3.3.211) points out the platform requirements aren’t intended to restrict a modest number of curtains to hide services above.