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Design Area Comp Topics and Sample Questions
1. Historical research is an integral part of designing any production.
Consider unique approaches or applications of historic research that have been
used in designing a production
- Given a specific designer for a given production discuss how historical
research influenced the physical and stylistic requirements of the production.
Cite through specific examples how these influences, along with genre,
budget and production facility impacted on the final design.
2. Economic, social and theatrical conditions throughout history affecting
(a given period or century will be assigned) stagecraft and design
- Discuss the typical styles and methodologies associated with a given period
or century of design and stagecraft. Include in your discussion the
economic, social and physical aspects of theater art of that time.
Use as examples specific plays from the period.
3. Use of thermoplastics, resins, and foams in the theater, and
the effect of that use on contemporary design.
- Discuss when, why, and how the use of thermoplastics, resins, and foams
became popular in the production of theatrical scenery and costumes. Support
your discussion with examples from particular theatrical productions and/or
situations.
4. Use of moving scenery and rigging in the Entertainment Arts
- Provide a discussion of the influence of advanced technology in the
area of rigging and show control for a specific production, entertainment
experience or venue. Illustrate and explain through specific examples
from the production how this technology contributed to the overall production.
5. Historic and contemporary methods and use of image projection in
the theater
- Outline a brief history of the evolution of scenic projection within the
theater. Cite examples of significant productions and how each made
use of specific techniques and equipment to produce the final images.
6. Trends in contemporary American theatrical design
- Cite a trend in American theatrical design and trace its evolution.
Support your description and discussion of the trend by citing specific
designs as examples. Also specify and discuss the designers and productions
that influenced and forwarded the trend.
7. Trends in contemporary design in countries outside the USA (country
or location to be designated)
- Name a European or Asian country whose influences on western design might
be called profound and explain why. Give examples using specific
names, titles, concepts, and chronology.
8. Historical and contemporary uses of masks in the theatrical arts:
practical and aesthetic aspects of their use
- Select two productions, one contemporary and one traditional, which rely
on the use of masks. Compare and contrast them based on:
- Why they used masks
- How they used masks
- Aesthetic values
- Historic precedent
9. The philosophy and use of theatrical costumes during a selected
historical period (period to be selected by major professor)
- Suppose that you were a college student in the Elizabethan period attending
a production of Macbeth. Describe and discuss how the costumes
in that production might have looked. Justify your discussion with
historical evidence of the philosophy and use of theatrical costumes during
the period.
10. Aesthetic and practical stage application of historical costume
accessories (footwear, jewelry, millinery, fans)
11. Theatrical uses of wigs and hair styling throughout history
12. Historic and contemporary theatrical make-up design: the development
of products and methodology
- Cite and discuss one noteworthy, historic theatrical makeup design and
the processes used to accomplish it. Cite and discuss one noteworthy,
contemporary makeup design and the modern solutions employed in accomplishing
it.
13. The inter-relationship of the world of fashion and theatrical costume
design
- Discuss the 20th Century relationship(s) between fashion design and theatrical
(film and/or stage) costume design. Include in your discussion:
- Specific designers and their contributions.
- Examples of costumes from particular productions that were influenced
by fashion designs.
- Examples of fashion designs inspired by costumes from a particular production.
14. Designer/director collaborations and their effects on design styles
and trends
- Select a director/designer team and discuss the following:
- who they are and a brief background of each.
- representative productions on which they have collaborated
- artistically speaking, the visual and kinetic style characteristics
of the collaboration
- has the resulting style had an impact on other designers and directors?
Give examples.
15. Occupational hazards in the entertainment industry
- List and discuss three (3) old (before 1950) and three (3) new (since 1950)
occupational hazards assigned to the design aspects of theatrical production.
Include in your discussion what the hazards are and ways of solving the
problems associated with each occupational hazard.
16. Historical and contemporary theatrical special effects
17. History and contemporary application of armor, military dress,
and weaponry
18. Design for Environmental Theater.
- Assuming all other considerations to be equal (play selection, conceptual
framework, etc.), discuss specific design considerations that a scenic
designer must consider when designing for varying audience/stage relationships.
Be prepared to discuss how each physical arrangement impacts upon the scenic
design and performance dynamics of the piece.
19. The development and application of contemporary lighting theory
and practice
- Discuss a minimum of at least three specific manners/systems of developing
the general/area lighting for a typical proscenium production. Typical
angle, distribution patterns and hook-up /dimmer considerations should
be addressed in your response.
20. History, Theories and Practice of Scenography
- European design tends to follow a scenographic process that makes use of
scenographers. How does this approach differ from design approaches
traditionally found in North America? Discuss through using specific examples
how these approaches vary from one another and the associated benefits
and/or disadvantages of each model.
21. The inter-relationship of style, concept, visual metaphor, and
function with the elements and principles of design
- Using specific show titles, designers, and directors, discuss the relationship
of style, concept, visual metaphor, and function in design. Cite
examples of successful and unsuccessful design undertakings.
22. Differences in design considerations for various venues (ex. proscenium stages, black box, film, etc.)
23. Digital Design, Production, Performance
Contact
Head of Design Area & Production Coordinator: Richard E. Dunham, Associate Professor, rdunham@uga.edu, 308C Fine Arts
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