Final answer:
The four popular staging formats in North America over the last 50 years are the proscenium stage, the thrust stage, the arena stage, and the black box theater.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four forms of staging formats that have become popular in North America in the last half century include the proscenium stage, the thrust stage, the arena stage (also known as theatre-in-the-round), and the black box theater. The proscenium stage features a 'picture frame' through which the audience views the performance, with the action typically confined to this framed area. The thrust stage extends into the audience on three sides and is surrounded by audience seating, creating a more intimate experience. The arena stage is surrounded completely by the audience, usually in a circular configuration, enhancing the feeling of closeness between the performers and the audience.
Lastly, the black box theater is a simple, unadorned space that can be easily reconfigured to suit the needs of the performance, offering great flexibility in staging and audience arrangement.