scenography

Scenography is the practice of designing and coordinating the visual and spatial aspects of a performance or display. It encompasses the creation and arrangement of a performance space, including scenery, props, lighting, sound, projections, costumes, and sometimes makeup. The goal is to establish the physical environment in which the action takes place, shaping mood, atmosphere, time, and place while guiding the audience’s experience.

In theatre and live performance, scenography is a collaborative discipline that integrates art direction with stage mechanics. Scenographers consider sightlines, scale, rhythm, and movement within the space, working with the director, composers, lighting designers, costume designers, and technicians. The process typically involves concept development, research, sketches, maquettes, and detailed technical drawings, followed by construction, technical rehearsals, and adjustments during performances.

In film, television, and other media, the related field is production design. The production designer oversees the creation of a film’s overall visual world, including sets, locations, props, color schemes, and textures, coordinating with the director of photography, art department, and special effects teams. The aim is to support narrative logic and character development while achieving a consistent aesthetic across scenes and formats.

Historically, scenography evolved from scenic painting and stage machinery in early modern theatres and has expanded with advances in lighting, sound, and projection. Today, digital technologies—from LED walls to projection mapping—allow designers to transform spaces in dynamic ways, making scenography a core element of storytelling across performing arts and media.