What does environmental staging aim to achieve in theatre?

Environmental staging aims to create an immersive experience for the audience, which aligns with the correct answer. This approach often involves transforming the performance space, integrating it closely with the audience's surroundings, or utilizing unconventional venues. By doing so, environmental staging encourages viewers to engage directly with the performance, blurring the lines between the action and their own reality. This heightened focus on the audience's experience can lead to a more impactful emotional connection with the themes and messages of the production.

The other choices do not align with the goals of environmental staging. Creating a clear distinction between performers and spectators typically represents traditional theatre styles, where the separation is emphasized. A fixed stage setting contradicts the fluid and dynamic nature of environmental staging, which often adapts the setting to enhance engagement. Lastly, while costumes and props can be important in any theatrical production, the primary focus of environmental staging is on the audience experience rather than just on enhancing visual elements.