Set Design Stagecraft

Set Design – Where to Begin

Types of Stages Depending on the play you are doing can change the type of staging that you might use. Proscenium Arch, Traverse, Thrust, Theatre in the Round/Arena. What are some of the issues/problems that you might have with each different stage? How would you change the set in between scenes?

Proscenium Arch

Traverse Stage

Thrust

Thrust Stage

Theatre In The Round

Theatre in the Round/ Arena

2. How would you change the set in between scenes? Discussion Depending on the play you are doing can change the type of staging that you might use. Proscenium Arch, Traverse, Thrust, Theatre in the Round/Arena. 1. What are some of the issues/problems that you might have with each different stage? 2. How would you change the set in between scenes?

Nature of the Play/Scene

Resources Available The money available will often determine what can be done with a set. Major theatre companies work from a budget and often a designers original ideas have to be modified to fit into the budget.

Drawing a set design

White Model

Your Task Design a set using this introduction from the play Waiting For Godot. A country road. A tree. Evening. Estragon, sitting on a low mound, is trying to take off his boot. He pulls at it with both hands, panting.

Your Task Working with a partner: Write a brief plot outline and title for a play you could create. (Be creative) Select one of the stages commonly found in performance areas. Using detail, design one set for the play, explaining why you chose the elements that you did. Create a costume design for three characters in the play.