Theatre as a Ritual Place: Redefining the Theatre as a House of Storytelling

Abstract

This project presents the design of a theatre. The theatre site is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia and will serve as the home for the Legacy Centre for the Performing arts. A selection of theatre spaces and ritual spaces, including temples and churches are analyzed, with attention paid to performance theory research in order to interpret the shared activities within these two building types. Architectural connections between these spaces are made as well as a building language common to both. A collection of theatre buildings, including the design for the Legacy Centre, is produced. Each design exhibits the line between front of house and backstage that has been established as being similar to both theatres and ritual spaces and that will enhance the experience of going to the theatre.