History of Scenography
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The aim is to provide a general knowledge of the theoretical aspect of the stage design from the avant-garde to the present day, connecting to the theory and history of contemporary theater. The critical and historical path will take place in parallel with the analysis of individual emblematic works selected to provide a method of observation and analysis of the single artistic phenomenon useful as approach to every research in the performing arts field.
Expected learning outcomes
With the lessons, the student will be able to identify the relevance of each specific stage project within a current or a historical period, analyze its structural elements, the practical aspects, identify the themes, and critically read the scenographic artistic proposal.
Lesson period: Second semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The lessons will be held on the Microsoft Teams platform, the address of which will be appropriately indicated on the teacher's ARIEL page, and can be followed both in synchronous (preferred method) on the basis of the scholastic timetable, and asynchronously because
they will be registered and available to students on the same platform. Everyone can record the lesson and organize their own material following their own study method.
Program and reference material:
The program and reference material will not change.
The teacher one day before the lesson or the same day will provide the slides on which the lesson will be taught, to allow everyone to download it first or follow it from another support. The teacher will upload the materials not only on the TEAMS database but also on ARIEL and on PREZI.COM, a platform that allows you to view slides from your mobile phone.
We ask you to become familiar with this platform, which is also useful for presenting your research.
Methods for verifying learning and evaluation criteria:
The exam will take place in oral form using the Microsoft Teams platform or, where the regulations allow, in presence, always in oral form.
In particular, the exam will be aimed at:
- ascertain the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding;
- ascertain the ability to apply knowledge and understanding through the discussion of case studies of shows analyzed in class
- verify the student's ability to have a personal approach to the analysis of diversified forms of entertainment (prose, opera, concerts) discussed during the course;
- ascertain the mastery of the specific and sometimes technical language of the subject. In this regard, some volumes are suggested in the bibliography that can help those who have not taken any theater exam.
they will be registered and available to students on the same platform. Everyone can record the lesson and organize their own material following their own study method.
Program and reference material:
The program and reference material will not change.
The teacher one day before the lesson or the same day will provide the slides on which the lesson will be taught, to allow everyone to download it first or follow it from another support. The teacher will upload the materials not only on the TEAMS database but also on ARIEL and on PREZI.COM, a platform that allows you to view slides from your mobile phone.
We ask you to become familiar with this platform, which is also useful for presenting your research.
Methods for verifying learning and evaluation criteria:
The exam will take place in oral form using the Microsoft Teams platform or, where the regulations allow, in presence, always in oral form.
In particular, the exam will be aimed at:
- ascertain the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding;
- ascertain the ability to apply knowledge and understanding through the discussion of case studies of shows analyzed in class
- verify the student's ability to have a personal approach to the analysis of diversified forms of entertainment (prose, opera, concerts) discussed during the course;
- ascertain the mastery of the specific and sometimes technical language of the subject. In this regard, some volumes are suggested in the bibliography that can help those who have not taken any theater exam.
Course syllabus
The course aims to introduce the problems related to the concept of "Dramaturgy of space" / "Space of dramaturgy" by proposing an excursus among the most significant authors / projects / shows of the avant-garde of the twentieth century. From Gordon Craig to Adolphe Appia to Prampolini, Depero, to Svoboda to the new stage designers who use the new digital technologies. A specific focus will be dedicated to Jan Pappelbaum and Carl Fillion respectively set designers by Thomas Ostermaier and Robert Lepage. The course will take into consideration prose theater, opera, dance, show design.
Texts:
-S. Sinisi, I. Innamorati, Storia del teatro. Lo spazio scenico dai greci alle avanguardie, Milano, Mondadori, 2006 or C. Titomanlio, Sul palco. Storia della scenografia e dell'architettura teatrale, Pisa, Casa Usher, 2019.
-A. M. Monteverdi, Memoria maschera e macchina nel teatro di Robert Lepage, Milano, Melteni, 2018
-A. M.Monteverdi, Leggere uno spettacolo multimediale, Roma, Dino Audino 2020
Texts:
-S. Sinisi, I. Innamorati, Storia del teatro. Lo spazio scenico dai greci alle avanguardie, Milano, Mondadori, 2006 or C. Titomanlio, Sul palco. Storia della scenografia e dell'architettura teatrale, Pisa, Casa Usher, 2019.
-A. M. Monteverdi, Memoria maschera e macchina nel teatro di Robert Lepage, Milano, Melteni, 2018
-A. M.Monteverdi, Leggere uno spettacolo multimediale, Roma, Dino Audino 2020
Prerequisites for admission
no prior or prerequisite knowledge is required. However knowledge of the history of theater can facilitate the comprehension of the lessons
Teaching methods
The teacher will lecture by identifying a theoretical reference text linked to the theoretical concept enunciated by Marco De Marinis of DRAMATURGY OF SPACE-SPACE OF DRAMATURGY on the basis of which selects moments, stage designers, artworks from the avant-garde to nowadays. Extra-theatrical projects, developed in public spaces for example, adapting the urban environment to theatrical narration will also be considered. The path of the twentieth century will not be only linked to the scenography of the prose theater but also from show design and opera; the artworks of the stage designers working within the so-called Digital Performance will also be considered.
Teaching Resources
Attending students
-S. Sinisi, I. Innamorati, Storia del teatro. Lo spazio scenico dai greci alle avanguardie, Milano, Mondadori, 2006 oppure
C. Titomanlio, Sul palco. Storia della scenografia e dell'architettura teatrale, Pisa, Casa Usher, 2019.
-A. M. Monteverdi, Memoria maschera e macchina nel teatro di Robert Lepage, Milano, Melteni, 2018
-A. M.Monteverdi, Leggere uno spettacolo multimediale, Roma, Dino Audino 2020
The non attending students add also one from this list:
1. G. Cerullo, Cambi di scena, Roma, Dino Audino editore, 2016
2.Z. De Vincentiis, Fare costumi, Roma, Dino Audino, 2019
3. F. MASTROPASQUA, Un teatro di pezzenti. La commedia dell'arte, Torino, Prinp editore on line
-S. Sinisi, I. Innamorati, Storia del teatro. Lo spazio scenico dai greci alle avanguardie, Milano, Mondadori, 2006 oppure
C. Titomanlio, Sul palco. Storia della scenografia e dell'architettura teatrale, Pisa, Casa Usher, 2019.
-A. M. Monteverdi, Memoria maschera e macchina nel teatro di Robert Lepage, Milano, Melteni, 2018
-A. M.Monteverdi, Leggere uno spettacolo multimediale, Roma, Dino Audino 2020
The non attending students add also one from this list:
1. G. Cerullo, Cambi di scena, Roma, Dino Audino editore, 2016
2.Z. De Vincentiis, Fare costumi, Roma, Dino Audino, 2019
3. F. MASTROPASQUA, Un teatro di pezzenti. La commedia dell'arte, Torino, Prinp editore on line
Assessment methods and Criteria
Attending students:
The final oral examination is based on the assessment of knowledge of 4 points:
- the contents of the course. The teacher will show some visual materials related to the scenography that will be commented on and the student will have to provide the historical context, a structural explanation and an analysis of the general theme.
- the contents of the book "History of scenography" by Carlo Titomanlio (inside the course the author's method will be explained). It is essential to combine this book with a vision of the photographs of the theaters and architectures to which the book refers either in the appendix or otherwise from the volume by STEFANO MAZZONI Spazi e forme dello spettacolo in Occidente (in the library). Mazzoni's volume with its extensive iconography will facilitate the reading of the manual.
- The book Mask and machine memory in Robert Lepage's theater (it will be explained in class with audiovisual contents)
- The book LEGGERE UNO SPETTACOLO MULTIMEDIALE (ANNA MONTEVERDI)
Non-attending students replace the e course) with an in-depth research (in multimedia format through any platform including Prezi or Pinterest) on some of the key moments of contemporary scenography (Svoboda, Wilson, Damiani, Pizzi, Polieri, Pappelbaum) obviously not looking at the whole production but some specific aspects or projects. Reference can also be made to individual projects (Poéme électronique) also of a technological nature as long as the stage design project is fundamental and at the center of the discussion. To avoid misunderstandings it is mandatory to send the report by email at least a week in any form in advance indicating the topic. If you have made a power point, remember to save in PDF version first to make it light.
The add also one from this list:
1. Cambi di scena (DINO AUDINO EDITORE)
2.Fare costumi (DINO AUDINO EDITORE)
3. Progettare la luce (DINO AUDINO EDITORE)
4. FERNANDO MASTROPASQUA, UN TEATRO DI PEZZENTI (da ordinare on line)
The final oral examination is based on the assessment of knowledge of 4 points:
- the contents of the course. The teacher will show some visual materials related to the scenography that will be commented on and the student will have to provide the historical context, a structural explanation and an analysis of the general theme.
- the contents of the book "History of scenography" by Carlo Titomanlio (inside the course the author's method will be explained). It is essential to combine this book with a vision of the photographs of the theaters and architectures to which the book refers either in the appendix or otherwise from the volume by STEFANO MAZZONI Spazi e forme dello spettacolo in Occidente (in the library). Mazzoni's volume with its extensive iconography will facilitate the reading of the manual.
- The book Mask and machine memory in Robert Lepage's theater (it will be explained in class with audiovisual contents)
- The book LEGGERE UNO SPETTACOLO MULTIMEDIALE (ANNA MONTEVERDI)
Non-attending students replace the e course) with an in-depth research (in multimedia format through any platform including Prezi or Pinterest) on some of the key moments of contemporary scenography (Svoboda, Wilson, Damiani, Pizzi, Polieri, Pappelbaum) obviously not looking at the whole production but some specific aspects or projects. Reference can also be made to individual projects (Poéme électronique) also of a technological nature as long as the stage design project is fundamental and at the center of the discussion. To avoid misunderstandings it is mandatory to send the report by email at least a week in any form in advance indicating the topic. If you have made a power point, remember to save in PDF version first to make it light.
The add also one from this list:
1. Cambi di scena (DINO AUDINO EDITORE)
2.Fare costumi (DINO AUDINO EDITORE)
3. Progettare la luce (DINO AUDINO EDITORE)
4. FERNANDO MASTROPASQUA, UN TEATRO DI PEZZENTI (da ordinare on line)
Unita' didattica A
L-ART/05 - PERFORMING ARTS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-ART/05 - PERFORMING ARTS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-ART/05 - PERFORMING ARTS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)