INTRODUCTION

An auditorium is a room built to enable an

audience to hear and watch performances at
venues such as theatres. For movie theatres, the
number of auditoriums is expressed as the
number of screens.
It is a multi use performance space that is
intended for various performing arts like
dance, drama, music, opera, theatre, magic
shows etc. It may include theatre, auditorium.
THEATRES AND ITS TYPES
PROSCENIUM THEATRE
It is the most common form of theatre stages. In this
particular stage, the audience is positioned in one
area facing towards the main stage, there is a
distinct division between the audience and the stage.
This division is created through the form of an arch
or some sort of frame- hence the name, Proscenium
Arch.
• Gives the audience a clear view and the one main
focus points towards the performers.
• Allows much more realism and special effects/
lighting- tricks and effects can easily be
concealed.
THRUST THEATRE
• Typical modern arrangement: the stage is often a
square or rectangular playing area, usually
raised, surrounded by raked seating.
• A stage surrounded by audience on three sides, the
fourth side serves as the background.

ARENA THEATRE
• A central stage surrounded by audience on all
sides.
• The stage area is often raised to improve
sightlines.
FLEXIBLE THEATRE:
• Sometimes called a "black box" theatre,
these are often big empty boxes painted
black inside.
• Stage and seating not fixed.
• Instead, each can be altered to suit the
needs of the play or the whim of the
director.
 TERMS USED IN AUDITORIUM

 PROSCENIUM
 HOUSE
 GANGWAYS
 AISLE
 DROP STAGE
 TORMENTOR
 APRON
 ORCHESTRA PIT
 BALCONY:
 WING:
 BOX OFFICE
 CYCLORAMA:
 FIRE CURTAIN
 GREEN ROOM
 TERMS USED IN AUDITORIUM

PROSCENIUM: A
proscenium is the area
of a theatre surrounding
the stage opening. A
proscenium arch is the
arch over this area. A
proscenium plane
divides the performer
and spectators.
HOUSE: It is the main seating area.

GANGWAYS: A passage between two

rows of seats. The minimum gangway should
be 1100 mm.
AISLE: The walkway between each area,
row of seats to permit ease of passage.
(>=45 mm)

DROP STAGE: A stage floor that moves

vertically on an elevator usually so that one
set can quickly replace another.
TORMENTOR: A curtain or framed
structure used directly behind the proscenium
at each side of the stage to screen the wings
& sidelights from the audience.

APRON: The part of the stage floor in front

of curtain line.
ORCHESTRA PIT: The space reserved for
musicians usually in front.

BALCONY: A gallery that projects over the

main floor of a theatre.

WING: The platform adjacent

to the stage for keeping props.

BOX OFFICE: Where tickets

are sold.
CYCLORAMA: It is the exterior of the
backdrop. It is basically a distinction between
backstage & main stage.

FIRE CURTAIN: A curtain or asbestos or

other fire-proof material that can be
lowered just inside the proscenium arch in
case of fire.
GREEN ROOM: The green
room is the space in a theatre,
studio or similar venue which
functions as a waiting room and
lounge for performers before and
after a performance, and during
the show when they are not
engaged on stage.
 STAGE
In theatre or performance
arts, the stage is a
designated space for the
performance of productions.
The stage serves as a space
for actors or performers and
a focal point (the screen in
cinema theaters) for the
members of the audience.
Stage: The size of the stage depends upon the type of performance the hall is to
cater for. It would be large for theatres, while it would be comparatively small for
cinema halls which again depends on the size of the screen.
Balcony: Where a balcony is provided, its projection into the hall should not be
more than twice the free height of the opening of the balcony recess.
Doors and windows: The external noise level is high, properly fitted doors
and windows should be provided. Their rebates should preferably be lined with
draught strip rubber or felt.
Line of sight: The elevation of the balcony seats should be such that line of sight
is not inclined more than 30 degrees to the horizontal.
Angle of floor: As an empirical rule the angle of elevation of the inclined floor
in an auditorium should not be less than 8 degrees
Area required: The floor area of the hall including, gangways (excluding the stage )
should be calculated on the basis of 0.6 to 0.9 sq. m per person.
Height and volume: The average height may vary from 6 m for small halls to 7.5 m
for large halls. The volume per person required to be provided should normally range
between 3.5 to 5.5 m. Suitable volumes for different types of auditoriums are given below.
Cubic metres per person
A) PUBLIC LECTURE HALLS. 3.5 to 4.5
B) CINEMAS OR THEATRES 4.0 to 5.0
C) MUSICAL HALLS OR CONCERT HALLS 4.0 to 5.5
Max. Distance from the curtain wall: In the case of theatres a person with
normal vision should be able to discern facial expressions of the performers. In order to satisfy
these condition, the distance of the ‘farthest seat from the curtain line should not normally
exceed 23 m.
.
 Size of auditorium:
An area of at least 0.5 sq.
m. per spectator is to be
used for sitting spectators.
This number is derived
from a seat width x row
spacing of at least 0.45
sq. m per seat, plus an
additional minimum of
0.5m - 0.9m i.e.
approximately 0.05 sq. m
per seat.
Length of rows: A
maximum of 16 seats per aisle. 25
seats per aisle is permissible if one
side exit door of 1m width is
provided per 3-4 rows.
 Exits, escape routes:
1m wide per 150 people
(minimum width 0.8m).
PROPORTIONS OF AUDITORIUM
These are obtained from the spectator’s psychological
perception and viewing angle, as well as the requirement for a
good view from all seats. Head movement should be according
to following:
• 30° → no movement
• 60° → slight movement
• 110° → slight eye & slight shoulder movement
• 360° → full movement
At a depth of 24m of house → proscenium width – 13m
At a depth of 32m of house → proscenium width – 17m

Source: Neufert
REHEARSAL STAGES
 SECONDARY SPACES
DRESSING ROOM
Screen size
PROJECTOR ROOM
WORK SHOP
CHANGING ROOMS

2 for up to 250 males; plus 1 for
WC every additional 250 males or part
thereof
2 for up to 50 males; plus 1 for
Urinal every additional 50 males or part
thereof
1 per WC and in addition, 1 per 5
Washbasins
urinals or part thereof
2 for up to 20 females; plus 1 for
every additional 20 females or
part thereof up to 500 females;
and 1 per 25 females or part
thereof over 500 females
N/A
1, plus 1 per 2 WCs or part
thereof
 1 Wc = 100 people
 Clock room = minimum 4 m per 100 visitor
 1 locker =- 4 visitor
 Storage area around 30% of whole room

 Wheel chair requirements for assembly areas:

 Number of Chairs Number of Wheelchairs required
 4 to 25 1
 26 to 50 2
 51 to 150 4
 151 to 300 5
 301 to 500 6
 501 to 5000 6 + 1 additional space for each extra 150 chairs
 5001 and over 36 + 1 additional space for each extra 200
chairs