The Whole world is a stage

William Shakespeare

The Stage Designer

In a professional theatre, a set designer

works very closely with the director

to interpret the play

The set will influence the -

• The place• Defining the place• Restricting or creating

opportunities for movement• Restricting view• Creating levels• Symbolism of the piece

Types of sets•Rostra and levels

•Box set•Swivel sets•Fixed sets

Rostra and LevelsUsing a minimalist set can create an

interesting set• Interlocking rostra

Box setThis set is like a part of a room.

The sides and back are generally constructed with flats.

These are wooden frames with canvas stretched across them.

The canvas can be painted

Several flats can be joined together to from the box set.

The box set can be simple or elaborate with doors, windows and

lights.

Flats

Swivel setsSmall box sets can be constructed

so that they are reversible.

It can help you with scene change overs.

Flats

Fixed SetsBox sets can be fixed or have castors so

they can be wheeled in and off.

Most professional theatres sets are moved off by tracks or fly's.

Flats

SightlinesThese are the areas of the

stage the audience can see.

ActingArea

Audience

Part of the audience can’t see this area

Styles of StagingThere are five main ways of staging a

performance

• End On – proscenium• Thrust

• Traverse• In the round

• Promenade/ Street theatre/ Environment

End on - proscenium

The audience is directly in from of the acting area

Audience

Acting Area

Thrust The audience is on three sides of the

acting areas

Acting Area A

Audience

A

TraverseThe audience is on both side of the

acting area

Acting AreaA A

In The RoundThe audience is all around the acting

areas

AActingArea

A A

A

Promenade/ Street theatre/ Environment

Promenade - the audience follows the actors from area to area

Street Theatre - The actors perform to the audience some where in the street. Different scenes can move into the space.

Environment – The performance is based around a place or building

Designing a setWhen you design a set you need to

consider:

• The period• The place• Opportunities for movement• Creating levels• Symbolism of the piece

The design Brief It should include :A page of research of ideasSamples of material with annotationA rough designFinal design with annotationBibliography

You are onlylimitedby yourimagination