I don't know of any books or articles, but I really like this type of staging. I think it provides so much intimacy and immediacy for the audience. The key thing I think about is how much the audience is part of the action. You cannot help but look at what is happening on stage and see the reaction from the audience members on the other side. That makes for a very communal experience.
I am by no means an expert and I have written nothing about it, but I have a few ideas I keep in mind when directing with this type of staging:
1. Levels. Keep it taller in the upstage area and in the direct center line of the playing area.
2. Angles and diagonals are so important. The tension you can create is so powerful and meaningful.
3. Increase the amount of moving you have actors do on stage. Theatrical reality says move frequently. For this type of staging, move even more!
4. Consider the power of actors having their backs to the audience while another actor directly addresses them. It is so cool how the two different sides of the audience see only one characters facial expression.
Best of luck to you the show! Hope it is a great time.
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John Rutherford
Groves Performing Arts Company
W.E. Groves High School
Beverly Hills MI
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-07-2022 11:47
From: Stanley Coleman
Subject: Traverse or Alley Staging
Does anyone know of any books or resources on traverse or alley staging, where the audience sits on only 2 sides of a long narrow stage space? I have the task of directing in such a space I've never used before. Thanks.
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