Style Composition and Design StyleStylizationProduction Style v The

Style, Composition, and Design (Style/Stylization/Production Style) v. The word “style” can refer to different ideas: v clothing, car models, house décor, etc. v“Compositional characteristics that distinguish the appearance of one type of thing from another. ” v More generally, it is “a reflection of the social and political history of the times, …that… are eventually reflected in the patterns and shifting artistic trends of the period. v For theatre purposes, we combine these: v “A recognizeable pattern of compositional elements that provides a distinctive reflection of the social and political history of the time. ” 1 v We use this definition to identify particular compositional features that embody a moment in history (such as the 70 s, or the Renaissance). Clothing/fashion is one of the easiest ways to understand the idea of “style. ” Image: http: //www. whowhatwear. com/editor-style-quiz

A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology (Style/Stylization/Production Style) • production style - a manner of producing a play in which all production elements (costume, scenery, lights, acting, directing, etc) adhere to a common set of artistic/philosophical characteristics • This can be viewed as the central stylistic theme on which the world of the production is based. • It is a recognizable pattern of visual and intellectual elements, based on social and political history, used to create the production environment for a particular play. • It must be derived from a careful and creative interpretation of the script. • It is the single most important step in the development of a play's concept. 2 Production style affects everything from the set to costumes to directing choices, and much more! Image: http: //new. sfdshop. com/projects-2/artstheater/

A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology (Design Styles and Design Periods) • Neither styles nor periods exist within narrowly described time frames – they overlap. • Styles evolve from those that came before, and evolve into those that come after. • Example: Naturalism began as a reaction against what was seen as the stylistic excesses of romanticism. After it became the dominant style, realism began as a reaction against what some viewed as the rigid rules of naturalism. • Romanticism Naturalism Realism Production style affects everything from the set to costumes to directing choices, and much more! 3 Image: http: //new. sfdshop. com/projects-2/artstheater/

A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology (Design Styles and Design Periods) • It is near impossible to create an absolutely accurate historical period or style on stage, for two main reasons: • Contemporary stylistic and practical influences on designers • Audience expectations • Designers must stylize a show. • Stylize – to use specific compositional elements characteristic of a particular style or period to create the essence of that style or period. • Costumes, set, and furniture are usually minimally stylized to closely duplicate the line, mass, texture, and color of a particular style or period. • The more something is stylized, the more difficult it will be to predict audience interpretation and reaction. 4 • This depends on researching the demographics and theatrical experience level of your audience! • Example: A play set in 1820 England. • If contemporary fashion sense dictates that the hair styles of the 1820 s were ugly, silly, or funnylooking, the costume designer should not use them on a character the audience is supposed to like! • It is frequently impossible to find historically accurate materials – plus, the conventions of building sets are very different from building actual houses, etc! Image: http: //thehub. musiciansfriend. com/dj-gear-buying-guides/band-dj-lighting-andstage-effects-buying-guide

A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology (Design Styles and Design Periods) • Literary style also has influence over theatrical design. • How a playwright writes a script provides a designer with lots of information: • Verse drama has a sense of majesty and nobility simply because it is written in poetic form. • Prose drama does not have this same sweeping sense of stylistic influence. • Writing style can influence the fabrics used by costume designers, and design styles drafted by scenic designers. 5 • Short, choppy dialogue, for example, might influence designers to work with short, choppy lines and harsh angles to echo and emphasize the writing style. Magnetic tape recorders started a quickdeveloping boom in sound technology. Image: http: //www. oldradio. org/2014/01/january-27 -1948 -wire-recording. html