No Longer Settling for Stale Sets

Mammoth steel structures and rising/falling staircases in an enclosed space would, in theory, warrant praise. These are structures that inspire a sense of awe within people, that allow for a story to not rely solely on narrative. They also could kill people easily.

Set design for live theater is possibly the most under-appreciated aspect of production even though there would be no comprehensible show without it.

Through physical and digital technological development in modern years sets have become more impressive while utilizing fewer set pieces in general. In the case of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, the backdrops are projected onto a grid, not built physically. There would be no better way to display a world that is seen through the eyes of a boy with autism than to have it be metaphysical and interchangeable at any moment.

Sets that utilize the ability to move with the story are becoming more popular in the modern age of theater. In Finding Neverland, rotating panels on stage right and left act as blinds that reflect the setting of the current scene all at once. Much like A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, it took advantage of projections and 3D painting to add life to flat scenes.

Then there is the groundbreaking Hamilton.

Erring from the trend of using modern trends, Hamilton uses a set that is primarily physical, employing a staircase that can be raised and lowered and a large, rotating disk center-stage. It is dynamic, matching the cadence of the show's hip hop style and music-only storytelling.

Set production is a field that has never received praise reflective of the work put in. With these great leaps in creating something singular, however, this trend may turn over soon enough.

A scene from Finding Neverland's "Stronger"

The layered set pieces of Poison in My Pocket from A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder