This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module explores the practice and theory of scenography. You will look at the history, theory and development of scenography including the nature of theatrical space. Through practice you will be introduced to the skills required of the scenographer. The module will be taught through workshop classes focusing on practical projects, and lecturer / seminars considering historical and theoretical contexts. Thus you will work on design projects while studying contextualizing theories and histories. Although the projects will vary on a yearly basis, as an indication you can expect 2 or three projects in which you will: design a performance space to occupy an found space; design a ‘set’ to put in that space; design a fully integrated environmental staging for a performance.
The academic study will include: the nature of performance space and the way perceptions of such space have developed; an introduction to key developments in scenographic history, but with special and close emphasis on developments emerging out of the late 19th and early 20th Century anti-naturalist experiments, and their 21st century legacies.
You will be taught some basic studio procedures (perspective drawing, simple computer graphics, model making) and standard presentation techniques.
12 Week Module + vacation work, 300 learning hours. Normally:
Workshop 3 hours per week
Lecture / seminar / discussion 2 hour per week
Independent research/reading/visits/project work 15 hours per week
20% Attendance, contribution, class projects (identified yearly in module handbook), oral presentation
30% Essay of 2500 - 3000 words in length 12.1, 12.2 13.1 13.4
50% Final project, incorporating model box / digital model and storyboard 12.3 12.4 13.2 13.3
A Aronson Looking onto the Abyss: Essays on Scenography, Ann Arbor, Mi.: University of Michigan Press, 2005.
Ayres, Nina Creating Outdoor Theatre Crowood 2007
C Innes Avant Garde Theatre 1892-1992, London: Routledge, 1993
R Drain (ed.) Twentieth Century Theatre; a sourcebook, London: Routledge, 1995
C Innes Edward Gordon Craig, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986
R Beacham Adolphe Appia, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990
1994
A Aronson The History & Theory of Environmental Scenography, Ann Arbor, Mi.: UMI Press, 1981.
N Kaye Postmodernism and Performance, London: Macmillan, 1994
J Burian The Scenography of Josef Svoboda Middletown Conn.: Weslyan University Press 1971.
L Shyer (ed.) Robert Wilson and his Collaborators, New York: Theatre Communications Group, 1989.
D Reid Payne The Scenographic Imagination Southern Illinois UP
S Brecht The Theatre of Visions: Robert Wilson New York: 1978
P. Howard What is Scenography?, London, Routledge 2002
SBTD Collaborators, London, Society of British Theatre Designers, 2006
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their relationship to programme learning outcomes. On completing this module you will have:
1. a broad knowledge of scenographic history and theory A1, A2, A4, C7
2. a more detailed knowledge of environmental and site-specific scenography A1 A2 A4 B1
3. experienced the creative processes required of the scenographer – developing your creative skills C1. C4 C3
4. made models and other visual representations, thus developing your studio craft skills C1 C5
The intended generic learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their relationship to programme learning outcomes. On completing this course you will have enhanced your skills in
1. Communication: through models, visual material, essays and oral presentations D2 B2
2. Exercising Initiative and Personal Responsibility: independence and self-management of private research and projects D1 B4
3. Problem Solving: identifying and finding solutions for creative, logistical and managerial problems presented by the projects.
4. The application of historical and theoretical knowledge to contemporary practice B1
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