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Development of Scenic
Design
From the Renaissance to contemporary times, devoted
theater technicians and designers have striven to
improve scenery and light design in an effort to more
intensely convey meanings through visual sensations
Greek Theaters
Theater of Dionysus - where theater
began. Open air theater.
Greek Theaters
 Over many centuries during the Greek era, the
structure of theater was seeing a change. During
Sophocles’ time, the stage may have looked
something like this, with actual painted backdrops.
Greek Theaters
During the Theater of Dionysus,
temporary wooden skene were built
Greek Theaters
The theater was further excavated to make a
more secure foundation for the wooden seats
Greek Theaters
The theater was broken up into 10 different
wedges, or sections, allowing one section to
be females only
Greek Theaters
 The Odeion was built adjacent to the Theater of Dionysus. The Odeion,
or Music Hall, was built soon after Pericles had got rid of his opponent
Thucydides (BC442) and was able to indulge more freely his wish to
spend public money on splendid structures.
Greek Theaters
 Using existing archeology, one could suggest that the
roof would have been supported with a forest of
columns resulting in a sight-line disaster for at least
40% of the audience
Greek Theaters
 Not until the 4th century BC was the Theater of
Dionysus rebuilt with stone under the statesman
Lycurgus (Ligurgis)
Alexander the Great
 By the time Alexander the Great took over the reign of all city
states, plays were no longer performed exclusively at Theater of
Dionysian festivals
Hellenistic Theaters
Hellenistic Theaters
Hellenistic Theaters
 All of these so-called Hellenistic theaters were not
built in the classical style of the Dionysian theater of
Athens
Alexander the Great
Hellenistic Theaters
 The most important renovation of Hellenistic theater
was the addition of the raised stage (Lo-hi-in)
Hellenistic Theaters
 It’s not sure how this heightened space was used as
an acting space
Hellenistic Theaters
Roman Theaters
And then the Romans came…
Roman Theaters
 For the third time, the Dionysus theater was
fundamentally renovated by Roman emperor Nero is
61 AD
Roman Theaters
Striking differences from the Hellenistic style
was the lowered stage with an enlarged
surface…
Roman Theaters
…and a heightened Skene
Roman Theaters
The stage was protected by a stone barricade
in order to protect the spectators
Roman Theaters
 It was built in 75 BC by colonist because they were
out of direct reach of the Roman senate, who were
opposed to theaters. Theater was deemed a threat to
Roman morality.
Roman Theaters
The architecture of Pompey was copied for
nearly all future Roman theaters and
amphitheaters
Roman Theaters
A huge piece of fabric was stretched over the
hole of the auditorium to cover spectators
from the sun and rain
Roman Theaters
This first Roman theater was also for
centuries the greatest theater in Europe
with a seating capacity of 28,000
spectators
Roman Theaters
This lead to a rivalry between military
members of Rome. Theaters were now
the “in” thing to build…
Medieval
After the Roman era, no permanent
theaters were built…
Medieval
 …but, the show must go on, right? Pageant Wagons
were used for traveling shows performed by guilds.
Pageant wagons were wheeled vehicles used in the
processional staging of medieval vernacular cycle
plays.
Medieval
Renaissance Theaters
 Mathematical perspective, which was just discovered
in those days, was applied in the scenery in order to
enlarge the theatrical illusion.
Renaissance Theaters
How to create this false perspective and
depth?
Renaissance Theaters
Renaissance Theaters
The perspective was constructed from
the seat of the monarch
Renaissance Theaters
 The oldest and still remaining building after the
Roman era is the Teatro Olimpico, built by
Renaissance Theaters
Renaissance Theaters
 It is miniature Roman theater, brought indoors. Behind the three gates,
a permanent false perspective is erected. The rising and narrowing
streets create depth. Of course, in these perspective streets, acting is
impossible.
Renaissance Theaters
 Before the discovery of gas light, the auditorium and
scenery was illuminated by torches and hundreds of
oil lamps.
Renaissance Theaters
Renaissance Theaters
 Consequently, many theaters were destroyed by fire.
Restoration, 18th, 19th, and
20th Century Theaters
Started to look like what we think of
when we see contemporary plays…