DG 1110.3.120
DESIGN GUIDE: MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTERS
JANUARY 1981
CHAPTER 3: DRAMA ROOM QUALlTIES
DISTANCE AND DETAIL
F I G U R E 3-3.2
Uniformity comes to mean that everyone has an
of intensity, while distance accounts for required
equal chance for a fine experience in a Room
power. Persons con trolling these instruments
that may offer a variety of viewing positions,
need to see the action from an audience point
none of which can be easily labelled "better".
of view. Offstage prompters need to be seen by
actors, and unseen by audience. Pit musicians
5. Actors' Ability to Orient
need to see the conductor, who in turn must
In the Frontal form actors orient to the proscen-
coordinate their efforts with the action on stage.
ium and/or stage set, and gauge their move-
ments accordingly. The shape and arrangement
8. Overall Influence of Vision Factors, Drama
of the acting area can also be used to differen-
Geometric and psychological aspects of vision
tiate regions within the world created by the play.
determine many point-to-point relationships in
When there is little scenic material, this definition
the Drama Room. Vision criteria are essential to
of "`place" assumes greater importance for both
setting the dimensions and positions of floor
actors and audience.
planes on which the audience sits, points in
space where equipment is mounted, and the lo-
6. Actors' Ability to Sense the Audience
cation of the proscenium and stage dressing-
Actors play to the audience. They need to see
all in relation to the acting area.
the audience response-another factor for au-
dience proximity. Moreover, actors respond best
B. HEARING FACTORS
to an apparently full house. The seating area
should not be oversized; at least, its configura-
tion should permit maximum use of near stage
For Drama, the implications of hearing criteria
seating.
are less complex than for Music, but qualities
discussed here are important to Drama.
7. Functional Technical Support
Vision factors enter in to placement and selection
1. Ability to Comprehend Speech
of accessory equipment. Lighting angles affect
Articulation and intelligibility are essential. The
an instrument's field of coverage and uniformity
3-13
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