Final answer:
Actors typically do not break the fourth wall in a proscenium stage setting where the proscenium arch creates a distinct separation between actors and audience.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the realm of theater, actors typically do not break the fourth wall in a proscenium stage setting. The proscenium arch serves as a 'window' that separates the audience from the performance, creating an illusion of watching a different reality in play. As actors do not directly address the audience, it maintains the immersive experience without distractions from the outside world. Conversely, in a thrust stage or an arena stage, commonly known as 'theatre-in-the-round', the audience is placed on three sides or all around, respectively, which makes it a more dynamic environment with less separation and more potential for interaction between performers and the audience.
Despite these staging types, theater at times tackles difficult subjects, creating an environment of engagement and reflection. Moreover, Augusto Boal's concept of the 'spect-actor' in the Theatre of the Oppressed blurs traditional lines by encouraging audience participation, challenging the typical non-interactive nature of traditional theater settings.