A platform stage is a raised rectangular platform at one end of a room facing an audience. It can have either a level or raked sloping floor and is sometimes referred to as an open stage or a thrust. In theatre, a platform is often used in conjunction with a proscenium or in a theatre in the round to create greater intimacy between performers and an audience. It is also used in multipurpose areas of halls where theatre is not the primary purpose.

The single most important factor for platform strength is the thickness of the lid (the top of the frame). It must be able to distribute a point load over as large an area as possible, transfer it to the legs and bracing and hold the platform at a desired height with little or no lateral movement. If there is significant sag, dancing or active theatrical blocking is impossible.

Raising the Bar: Enhancing Performances with Platform Stages

Legs and bracing are critical to the structure of a platform and there are numerous ways of legging them. Some framing methods run interior members on the sides of the frames and while they work adequately for simple use they will visibly sag or deflect under a load of an adult walking across them.

Other framing methods run interior members along the length of the frame and this is by far the best. It is the strongest and most cost effective method but it takes more time to build and requires a special set of framing tools.