theater-in-the-round

[thee-uh-ter-in-thuh-round, theeuh-]

noun

1. arena theater.

2. a style of theatrical presentation in which the audience is seated on all sides of the performance area.

Word History and Origins

Origin of theater-in-the-round¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Attendees surrounded a rotating theater-in-the-round stage, an experiment that was widely criticized and never repeated.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I saw them play, in striped shirts, white suits, colorful velours and out of costume, at the Hollywood Bowl, when the kids still screamed during their shows; at the Melodyland theater-in-the-round across from Disneyland, when they seemingly couldn’t get booked any closer to L.A.; and at the Whisky A Go Go, when “Sunflower” was released.

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That symbolic gateway set the stage for a theater-in-the-round showcase in Paris.

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Here at @sohoplace, a new theater-in-the-round designed with physical comfort in mind, the “Medea” directed by Dominic Cooke itself affords nothing in the way of solace.

Read more on Washington Post

You still wait in the Seussian lounge with the melting clock until you’re escorted to your seat in a dining room that resembles theater-in-the-round.

Read more on Washington Post