Wiki Page, Oklahoma High School- Drama/Theatre Course (OK Art Tech): 3.3 Introduction to Set Design

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2025-03-06T08:26:17-06:00

Introduction to Set Design

What is Set Design?

Set design, or scenic design, is an integral part of theatre production. Set design includes all the scenery, furniture, lighting, props, and overall look the audience sees on stage during a play. The set is the physical environment where the play's action takes place. Set design can help to establish the mood and tone of a play. It can also help the audience understand the setting and the characters' relationships to their environment. Additionally, set design can convey messages about the play's themes or ideas. Set design helps to tell the story, helps bring the story to life, and connects the audience to a different world on the stage.

Examples of Set Design

Set from "Our Town"

Set of "Titanic"

Set from "Phantom of the Opera"

Set of "Uncharted"

Set Designers

Set designers, or scenic designers, are members of the creative team responsible for developing the physical environment used to tell the story of a play. A set designer's responsibilities could include: reading the script, researching, drawing, sketching, painting, drafting, building scale models, collaging, photo-shopping, and thinking about color, space, and texture.

So, how does a set designer begin their work?

1. First, they have to read the script many times to understand the message and spirit of the story and to list its specific requirements for scenery, furniture, and props.

2. Second, they note the time of day, location, season, historical period, and any set changes that will happen during the performance.

3. Third, they focus on figuring out everything needed, like props, based on the dialogue in the script. Note: Set designers do not focus on stage directions when they first begin designing.

4. Finally, set designers conduct research and find inspiration.

Watch the video below. Set and costume designer, Bunny Christie, explains the process of designing a show for the theatre. Notice her tools, including her sketchbook and model box.

Video: Designing Theatre: The Comedy of Errors

National Theatre. (2016, Sep 27). Designing Theatre: The Comedy of Errors. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Tv_geitX9_4?si=hENsvvEb5VpuHEiM

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.