Set DesignIt’s an Art!

The Lion King

So you’re designing a set....Where do you start?

Meet with the ______ to find out his/her vision for the show (remember, they are the boss)!Always start with the script!

Pay attention to...WHEN:Time Period (How would a play that takes place in a 1950’s diner look different than a play set in Starbucks in 2010?)

Time of Day (How might a kitchen in the daytime look different than it would in the middle of the night?)

WHERE (Geography, Indoor/Outdoors, etc.):

How might a play in the streets of an African village look different than on the streets of New York City?

Pay attention to...

WHO:

What type of person “owns” this space? What is that character’s personal style?

How would a grandmother’s bedroom look different than a teenager’s?

MOOD/ATMOSPHERE:

What’s going on? What’s the mood?

How might a living room look different right before a funeral than before a birthday party?

Pay attention to...

SET PIECES MENTIONED IN THE SCRIPTWhy is this important?

YOUR IMAGINATION!Why is this important?

How do you communicate your design to the director?

WICKED

You Be the Designer!You are working in a theatre where you will be the Director AND the Set Designer for a play. That means you have the vision AND you will bring it to life.

Step 1: Read the play and take notes!Step 2: Do research. (Gather inspiration)Step 3: Draw a sketch of what you want your set to look like.Step 4: Make a Floor PlanStep 5: Make a model!

Step 1:Read and Take Notes!

We will start a sample scene together. As we read, we will fill out the “Set Design Notes” page, noting the When/Where/Who/Mood/Set Pieces Needed, and any other ideas you may have along the way!REMEMBER: Set pieces are different than props! Props are things small things that actors handle (like books, food, etc.). Set pieces are part of the scenery (the “picture”).

Your Turn!

You will be designing your own set.

Read the assigned play and complete the Set Design Notes handout.

After you do the research with the script, you’ll be ready to start DESIGNING!

What’s the Point?Why are we learning this?

Theatre Reasons:Appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes.Expose you to a possible career option in Theatre.Become well rounded in the theatre world.

What’s the Point?Why are we learning this?

In LIFE:How do we see scenery in our day-to-day life?Do our surroundings impact us? Are there places that make us feel certain ways?Does some scenery make you feel less/more... Safe? Stressed? Content? Excited? Nervous?

Food for Thought

Theatre brings LIFE to the stage. Without the impact of scenery on our lives, we couldn’t use scenery to manufacture emotions on the stage.“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” -Shakespeare