HISTORY OF STAGE DESIGN

The course intends to give the basics of the history of theatrical 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.

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.
Theatrical space and stage design in Antiquity and Medieval Age.
The birth on modern conception of scenic space in Renaissance and Baroc.
The Neoclassical and Romantic Stage.
The tecnological revolution in XIX century theatre.ù
The Avangarde Art in Theatre.
The Theatre in XX century.
The stage design today.

F. PERRELLI, 'Storia della scenografia', Roma, Carocci 2010.
F. CRUCIANI, 'Lo spazio del teatro', Roma-Bari, Laterza 1992.
M. VIALE FERRERO, 'L'Opera in scena, Luogo teatrale e spazio scenico', a cura di M. I. Biggi, EDT, Torino 2024
'Scenography expanded an introduction to contemporary performace design', a cura di J. MC KINNEY, S. PALMER, Londra, Bloomsbury Methuen Drama 2017
J. MCKINNEY, P. BUTTERWORTH, 'Scenography', Cambridge, Cambridge University Press 2009
P. BERTOLONE, M. BIGGI, D. GAVRILOVICH, 'Mostrare lo spettacolo. Musei e mostre delle Perfoming Arts', Universitalia, Roma, 2013.
G. GRAZIOLI, 'Luce e ombre. Storia, teorie e pratiche dell'illuminazione teatrale', Roma, Laterza, 2008.

Per chi non ha mai sostenuto esami di Storia del Teatro, si consiglia: P. BOSISIO, 'Teatro dell'occidente, Elementi di storia della drammaturgia e dello spettacolo teatrale', Milano, LED, 2006.

Testi consigliati per approfondimenti e per chi non frequenta:
'Le lieu théatralea la Renaissance', a cura di J. JACQUOT, Parigi, CNRES,1964.
M. TAFURI, L. SQUARZINA, 'Teatri e scenografie', Milano, 1976.

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.
It's possible to write a thesis on the course arguments. It has to be no more of 10.000 caracters, with bibliography.

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