  thumb|right|rustaveli theatre  a black box theater (or experimental theater) consists of a simple, somewhat unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor. it is a relatively recent innovation in theatre.http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-black-box-theater.htm ==history== black box theatres became popular and widespread particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, during which low-cost experimental theater was being actively practised as never before. since almost any warehouse or open space in any building can be transformed into a black box, including abandoned cafÃ©s and stores, the appeal for nonprofit and low-income artists is high. the black box is also considered by many to be a place where more "pure" theatre can be explored, with the most human and least technical elements being in focus. the concept of a building designed for flexible staging techniques can be attributed to swiss designer adolphe appia, circa 1921, and instigated a half century of innovations in the relationship between audience and performers. antonin artaud also had ideas of a stage of this kind. the first flexible stage in america (not a proper black box due to the domestic decor) was located in the home living room of actor/manager gilmor brown in pasadena, ca. this venue, and two subsequent permutations, were known as the playbox theatre,http://dynamics.org/roger/thesis/ and functioned as an experimental space for brown's larger venue, the pasadena playhouse. ==use== such spaces are easily built and maintained, and are usually home to plays or other performances with very basic technical arrangements, such as limited sets, simple lighting effects, and an intimate focus on the story, writing, and performances rather than technical elements. the seating is typically composed of loose chairs on platforms, which can be easily moved or removed to allow the entire space to be adapted to the artistic elements of a production. common floor plans include thrust stage, modified thrust stage, and arena. colleges and other theater training programs employ the black box theater {{cite web |title=annual report 2009 |first=emily hiser |last=lobdell |editor-first= kingsley |editor-last=day |publisher=northwestern university school of communication |page=24 |format=pdf |accessdate=2012-12-06 |url=http://www.communication.northwestern.edu/publications/soc_annual_report2010.pdf |quote=it was from this space in annie may swift hall that we dedicated a black box theater to the late alvina krau
Parts_of_a_theatre Stagecraft