An architecture thesis in two parts: Part I examines the social and technical forces which shaped theater buildings in Europe and the United States. Physical relationships between audience and performer are shown to be central in understanding the changing form of theater buildings. Part II proposes a new model for flexible theater structures. It is a design to house the Dallas Theater Center's alternative performances. The design is informed by historical models and rooted in the imperatives of the audience-performer relationship. This combination historical analysis and design project seeks to critique the methodology of the avant-garde and reconsider the built elements that vanguard theater movements use and discard. The goal is to create a renewable theater building that can workably accommodate urges toward change.