What is the common characteristic of a theater in the round?

A theater in the round is designed to create a unique experience for both the performers and the audience by situating the stage in the center of a circular or semicircular space. This layout allows for a 360-degree audience view, meaning that spectators can see the performance from all sides, leading to a more immersive and engaging experience. This configuration encourages greater interaction between actors and the audience, fostering a sense of closeness and immediacy that other theater formats do not typically provide.

The other options describe features more common to traditional theater settings. The proscenium arch, for instance, is a defining characteristic of proscenium theaters, which frame the stage and create a clear division between the performers and the audience. An accessible backstage area is beneficial in many types of theaters, but it is not unique to those designed for theater in the round. Similarly, a fixed seating arrangement is often characteristic of both proscenium and thrust theaters but doesn’t describe a key aspect of the round format, where seating may be arranged in a flexible manner to accommodate the circular design. Overall, the 360-degree audience view is the defining and common characteristic of a theater in the round, emphasizing its unique spatial configuration.