By Hallie
Black Box theaters are simply another form of presenting theatre for audiences. But what exactly is a Black Box? A Black Box theatre (which can also be a Theatre in the Round) is typically a large, flat, black working space, with seating on all four walls of the room. This style of theatre requires the actors to constantly act to the entirety of the theatre. It is absolutely amazing to watch actors perform in these spaces, as they must be constantly aware of everything going on around them. You most frequently see Shakespeare, or a classic drama (such as Our Town) performed inside a Black Box theatre.
Another style of black boxes is also the type of theatre called Three Quarter Theatre, which consists of seating on three walls, instead of four. It’s not as involved as acting in the round, because performers don’t have to worry about constantly having their back to one side of the audience, but it’s still very fun to see how innovative actors and directors can be in such a unique setting!
Black Box theatre used to be widely used in Shakespearean times. The famously known Globe Theatre from Shakespearean theatre, was actually a three quarter stage! In recent years, people saw the need to build cheaper, more interesting looking theatres to accommodate audiences who were getting bored with average theatre and wanted to see something new and exciting. This ushered in the idea of the Black Box theatre.
When you enter a black box, it typically feels like you are going to attend something magical; something that feels out of another time and place While you watch, you can feel an added connection with the actors. It’s a very intimate kind of theatre experience, which makes it so special.