Scenographer Course

Lesson 1 • Defining Scenography as a Discipline

Scenography is distinguished from set decoration and interior design through its dramaturgical function. Students articulate the scenographer's authorial role in live performance.

Lesson 2 • Historical Survey of Stage Design

Key periods from ancient Greek theatron to twentieth-century avant-garde are mapped chronologically. Students connect historical conventions to contemporary practice.

Lesson 3 • The Collaborative Production Team

Scenographers operate within a hierarchy of creative and technical collaborators. Students map communication channels and decision-making protocols across a production.

Lesson 4 • Reading and Analysing a Script

Script analysis extracts spatial, temporal, and atmospheric demands that drive design decisions. Students produce annotated breakdowns identifying scenographic requirements.

Lesson 1 • Colour Theory for Stage Design

Colour relationships, temperature, and psychological associations are applied to scenic and lighting choices. Students build palettes that support narrative and emotional tone.

Lesson 2 • Spatial Composition and Sightlines

Three-dimensional space is organised to serve storytelling and audience perception. Students analyse sightlines and compose stage pictures for multiple audience positions.

Lesson 3 • Developing a Design Concept

A unifying concept aligns all scenographic elements under a single interpretive vision. Students articulate concepts verbally and visually before committing to detailed design.

Lesson 4 • Research and Visual Reference Gathering

Rigorous visual research grounds design in historical, cultural, and aesthetic context. Students build structured reference libraries that inform and justify design choices.

Lesson 1 • Assembling a Technical Drawing Package

A complete drawing package communicates all construction and installation information to the technical team. Students compile, title-block, and organise drawings for production use.

Lesson 2 • Introduction to CAD for Scenography

Computer-aided drafting accelerates production of accurate, revisable technical drawings. Students produce ground plans and elevations using industry-standard CAD software.

Lesson 3 • Sections and Elevations

Sections reveal vertical relationships; elevations communicate surface detail and construction intent. Students produce both drawing types for a complete scenic package.

Lesson 4 • Freehand Sketching Techniques

Quick sketching captures spatial ideas before technical refinement. Students develop confident line work and perspective sketching for design development and presentation.

Lesson 1 • Digital 3D Modelling Basics

3D software enables rapid spatial testing and photorealistic visualisation before physical construction. Students build basic scenic environments using industry-relevant 3D tools.

Lesson 2 • Model Making Tools and Materials

Selecting appropriate materials and tools determines model accuracy and presentation quality. Students identify and safely use core model-making equipment and materials.

Lesson 3 • Building a White Card Model

White card models test spatial relationships and sightlines without the distraction of colour or texture. Students construct accurate scale models from ground plan and elevation drawings.

Lesson 4 • Iterative Design Through Prototyping

Prototyping reveals design problems early, reducing costly changes during construction. Students practice rapid iteration cycles using both physical and digital models.

Lesson 1 • Flying, Tracking, and Automation

Moving scenery creates dynamic stage pictures and enables rapid scene changes. Students design scenic elements compatible with flying, tracking, and automated systems.

Lesson 2 • Scenic Painting and Surface Treatments

Scenic painting transforms raw construction into convincing visual environments. Students apply core scenic painting techniques including texture, aging, and trompe l'oeil.

Lesson 3 • Budgeting and Scheduling Scenic Work

Scenic budgets and build schedules determine what is achievable within production constraints. Students produce itemised scenic budgets and realistic construction timelines.

Lesson 4 • Materials Selection and Specification

Material choices affect visual quality, weight, cost, and construction time. Students evaluate and specify materials using standard scenic construction criteria.

Lesson 1 • Lighting and Scenic Design Integration

Scenic surfaces, colours, and textures must be designed in relation to planned lighting. Students revise scenic choices based on lighting tests and collaborative feedback.

Lesson 2 • Atmospheric Effects and Projection

Haze, fog, gobos, and projection extend the scenographer's palette beyond physical scenery. Students incorporate atmospheric effects into a unified scenic and lighting concept.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Stage Lighting

Angle, intensity, colour, and distribution are the four fundamental variables of stage lighting. Students analyse how each variable shapes the perception of scenic space.

Lesson 4 • Designing Lighting States and Cues

Lighting states define the visual world of each scene; cue sequences control transitions. Students design a sequence of lighting states for a short production.

Lesson 1 • Integrating Costume into the Scenic World

Costume palettes must harmonise with scenic colour and lighting to create a unified visual world. Students conduct design reviews that assess costume-scenic integration.

Lesson 2 • Costume Construction and Sourcing

Costumes are built, hired, or adapted depending on budget and production scale. Students evaluate construction, hire, and adaptation options for a given production.

Lesson 3 • Costume Design Principles

Costume communicates character status, period, and psychological state through silhouette, fabric, and colour. Students analyse scripts to generate costume design briefs.

Lesson 4 • Properties Design and Management

Properties bridge scenic and costume design, serving both visual and functional roles. Students categorise, design, and source props for a complete production.

Lesson 1 • Technical Rehearsals and the Get-In

The get-in and technical rehearsal are where design meets physical reality under time pressure. Students plan and manage the installation and technical rehearsal process.

Lesson 2 • Professional Communication and Presentation

Clear communication of design intent to diverse collaborators is a core professional skill. Students present designs verbally, visually, and in written documentation.

Lesson 3 • Portfolio and Career Development

A professional portfolio demonstrates range, process, and realised work to potential employers. Students curate and present a portfolio suitable for professional and academic applications.

Lesson 4 • Health, Safety, and Risk Assessment

Scenographers are responsible for the safety of designs in performance and construction contexts. Students produce risk assessments and apply safety standards to scenic designs.