HISTORY OF THE STAGE

Contribution of the course to the overall degree programme goals
The course intend to give the basics of the history of scenic space and scenography in western culture and theatre from the beginning to today.
The aim is to offer a methodologic overview on the architectural theories which have invested the theatrical practice since the origin of the idea of modern theatre in the Renaissance. The same approach is applied to scenography, set design and making.
Furthermore it is intended to deepen and define the terminology related to theatre production and life on traditional and contemporary theatre.

Expected learning outcomes
The student will be expected to know the history of scenic space and scenography in the western culture from the beginning to today.
Learning of the subject will lead the student to distinguish the different types of theatrical spaces; the ancient classic theatre in Athens from that in Rome or the Italian type of the 17th and 18th centuries from its development in the 19th centuries in the French and German area.
Furthermore it is expected by the student the mastery of a specific vocabulary required to describe the changes of scene and setting, the interpretation of the stage captions in the different ages and the connection with the essential iconographic material to understand the development of the history of the ancient, modern and contemporary scenic space.

There are no prerequisite requirements

The theatrical space is a complex entity which cannot be reduced to the sum of architecture and scenography.
The course will explore the themes of the theatre building with its representative functions, the development of the shape of the theatre hall, the space of the dramatic action, the function of the space for actor and character, the symbolic and allusive space of the performance and the scenographic illusion in relation to the text.
It is explored the double relationship between who plays in the scenic space and who enjoys the performance: in other words the use of the space by the actors, the professionals and the audience.

F. CRUCIANI, 'Lo spazio del teatro', Laterza, Roma-Bari 1992.
M. VIALE FERRERO, 'L'opera in scena. Luogo teatrale e spazio scenico' a cura di M. I. Biggi, EDT, Torino, 2024.
O. LANZARINI, A. MUFFATO 'Teatri e luoghi per lo spettacolo', Electa, Milano 2008;
'Architettura & teatro. Spazio, progetto e arti sceniche', a cura di D. ABBADO, A. CALBI, S. MILESI, Il Saggiatore, Milano 2007.
M. FORSYTH, 'Edifici per la musica', Zanichelli, Bologna 1991.
'Scenography expanded an introduction to contemporary performace design', a cura di J. MC KINNEY, S. Palmer, Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, Londra 2017
F. PERRELLI, 'Storia della scenografia. Dall'antichità al XXI secolo', Carocci, Roma 2013.
P. BERTOLONE, M. BIGGI, D. GAVRILOVICH, 'Mostrare lo spettacolo Musei e mostre delle Perfoming Arts', Universitalia, Roma, 2013.

Testi - manuali di storia del teatro:
R. ALONGE, F. PERRELLI, 'Storia del teatro e dello spettacolo', De Agostini, Torino 2016
P. BOSISIO, 'Teatro dell'occidente, Elementi di storia della drammaturgia e dello spettacolo teatrale', LED, Milano 2006;

Testi consigliati per approfondimenti:
F. MAROTTI, 'Lo spettacolo dall'Umanesimo a Manierismo', Feltrinelli, Milano 1974;
'La musica degli occhi. Scritti di Pietro Gonzaga', a cura di M.I. BIGGI, Olschki, Firenze 2006
M. TAFURI, L. SQUARZINA, 'Teatri e scenografie', TCI, Milano, 1976.
G. GRAZIOLI, 'Luce e ombre. Storia, teorie e pratiche dell'illuminazione teatrale', Laterza, Roma-Bari 2008
P. BERTOLONE, M. BIGGI, D. GAVRILOVICH, 'Mostrare lo spettacolo Musei e mostre delle Perfoming Arts', Universitalia, Roma, 2013.

There will be an oral examination.
The exam will allow to understand if the student has understood the method of analysis and the contents of the course.

Teaching methods
The lessons will be lead through oral communications and power point presentations of iconographic resources.
Furthermore there will be practical experiences with visits to theatres and archives holding theatrical material such as set and costume designs

Italian

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Cities, infrastructure and social capital" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development