What were some of the physical features of the stage, seating area and backstage set-up of the first open-air theaters?

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In 465 BC a small wooden hut called a skene (hence, scene), in which the actors changed costumes, was erected behind the playing area. When stone structures were erected the seating area was cut to little more than a semicircle and the skene became a two-story building with three doorways in front and an entrance by either side. It thus served additionally as the scenic background of the play. The floor in front of the skene was elevated, with steps leading down to the orch?stra, where the chorus was located; this narrow playing level was called the proskenion (hence, proscenium).