About Performances

A performance can be many different things — a play, a musical, a one-woman show, a comedy act, or a live concert, just to name a few. And while the talent on stage will obviously make or break any performance, you should never underestimate just how important the performance venue is to the audience’s enjoyment of the show.

The best performance spaces are beautiful as well as practical. Not only do they contribute to the atmosphere and mood of a show, but they also ensure that audience members feel like a part of the action and enjoy a pleasant night out from start to finish.

But with performance venues of many varying sizes and designs available, how do you choose the right space for your needs? Keep reading for some simple tips and inspiration to help you lock in the perfect location.

The Best Performance Venues

When you find the right venue for a show, it enhances the audience’s connection with the music, play, dance routine, or whatever else is being performed. It allows the artist to showcase their work in the best possible light, and it ensures that every audience member goes home with a smile on their face. Here are a few popular performance space options you might like to consider.

• Theaters and Playhouses
  Some theaters are small and humble, others are grand and opulent, but they can all set the stage for a memorable performance. From community theaters that seat a couple of dozen people to massive auditoriums that hold hundreds or even thousands, there’s a theater out there to suit everything from independent plays to big-budget productions.
  
  
• Concert Venues
  Like theaters, concert venues come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are designed to host world-famous symphony orchestras, others for global rock bands that always like to crank the volume right up to 11. Concert venues can also be small and intimate or host a heaving mass of humanity — it all depends on the setting you need for your performance.
  
  
• Black Box Theaters
  Performance spaces don’t get any simpler or more uncomplicated than a black box theater. These flexible spaces can be set up in many different layouts and are ideal for smaller performances. This historic 1920s black box theater, for example, is full of old-world charm and sophistication.
  
  
• Outdoor Amphitheaters
  There’s nothing quite like the magic and enchantment of watching a memorable performance under the stars. Outdoor amphitheaters add a real sense of theater and occasion to any performance, offering a unique connection between the action on stage and the natural world.

What to Look for in Performance Spaces

There’s a lot to take into account when searching around for the best performance venue. Not only do you need to consider practicalities such as the size of the space and its acoustics, but you also need to consider the ambiance of the venue and how it affects the way the audience experiences the show. Here are the key issues to think about when comparing performance venues.

• The Right Atmosphere
  First, think about the atmosphere you want for your performance. For example, do you want an intimate vibe where the audience can feel a close connection with the actors on stage, or are you looking for a space where a great live band can blow the crowd away with a wall of sound? The venue you select needs an ambiance that suits the type of performance you’re hosting.
  
  
• The Right Size and Layout
  Size is an important factor that contributes to the atmosphere of a performance venue. While you want enough space for a big potential audience, a small venue at full capacity will have a much more exciting atmosphere than a larger space that’s only half full. Layouts also vary greatly between performance spaces — for example, some have a traditional auditorium-style setup, others have a stage that juts out into the crowd, and there are also spaces where the stage is surrounded by the audience on all sides.
  
  
• The Right Equipment and Amenities
  Now it’s time to think about the practical features a space has to offer. Put together a checklist of all the must-haves for your performance space, which may include a wide variety of different inclusions. For example, is the sound system suitable, does it have lighting rigs, is there an orchestra pit, and does it have dressing room space and backstage areas?
  
  
• The Best Audience Experience
  You want every audience member that attends your show to go home grinning from ear to ear, so put yourself in their shoes for a moment to consider what experience the venue offers. For example, is it easy to access, does it have private parking, is there a bar for refreshments, and are there enough bathrooms?
  
  
• The Right Price
  Finally, don’t forget about the cost. There are a lot of expenses to consider when putting on a show, even if it’s only a small production, so don’t blow all your budget on a venue you can’t afford.

Performance Inspiration

Having trouble choosing the best performance space for your needs? Here’s some inspo to give you a few venue ideas.

• Opulent Playhouse Performances
  Some theater productions call for the grandest of stages so that those show-stopping numbers and spellbinding soliloquies captivate all in attendance. These majestic theaters boast period decor, tiered seating, and have often hosted plenty of famous performers throughout their history. This lavish New York theater sets the stage perfectly for a grand performance.
  
  
• Unplugged
  There’s something about an acoustic performance that allows a musician to connect with their audience on a completely different level. The perfect performance space for a live and unplugged gig creates a cozy, intimate vibe that helps bring the audience and artist closer together.
  
  
• Black Box Brilliance
  Staging an experimental production, or maybe just a small performance that doesn’t need space for a large audience. A black box theater provides the ideal setting for shows on a tight budget, for anyone who wants to establish a close connection with the audience, and for those performances that involve audience interaction.