Editing Scenic design (section)

== History ==
The origins of scenic design may be found in the outdoor amphitheaters of ancient Greece, when acts were staged using basic props and scenery. Because of improvements in stage equipment and drawing perspectives throughout the Renaissance, more complex and realistic sets could be created for scenic design. Scenic design evolved in conjunction with technological and theatrical improvements over the 19th and 20th centuries.<ref name=":2" />

=== The New Stagecraft Movement ===
In the early 20th century, American scenic design underwent a dramatic transformation with the introduction of the New Stagecraft.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Brewster |first=Karen |last2=Shafer |first2=Melissa |date=2011-01-01 |title=Fundamentals of Theatrical Design: A Guide to the Basics of Scenic, Costume, and Lighting Design |url=https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu_books/6/ |journal=ETSU Authors Bookshelf}}</ref> Drawing inspiration from European pioneers like Adolphe Appia and Edward Gordon Craig, American designers began moving away from the overly detailed naturalism of the 19th century.<ref name=":2" /> Instead, they embraced simplified realism, abstraction, mood-driven environments, and symbolic imagery. Leaders of this movement, including Robert Edmond Jones, Lee Simonson, and Norman Bel Geddes, laid the foundation for a more interpretive and artistic approach to stage design in the United States.

=== Poetic Realism and Its Legacy ===
Following the New Stagecraft, designers like Jo Mielziner and Boris Aronson helped define a style known as poetic realism.<ref name=":2" /> Characterized by soft lighting, romantic imagery, scrims, and fragmented sets, this style prioritized the emotional tone of a production over strict realism. These designers often collaborated closely with playwrights and directors, shaping the mood and meaning of American theater classics like the early works of Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams.

=== Modern Trends in Scenic Design ===
A key element of modern trends is the '''integration of spectacle'''.<ref name=":2" /> This movement towards larger-than-life visuals, mechanized scenery, and intricate special effects has reshaped both Broadway productions and regional theater. Designers like David Mitchell, known for his work on kinetic sets, exemplify the push towards spectacle that mirrors the influence of cinema on stage design. This trend emphasizes the audience's sensory experience, focusing on visual impact and technical prowess rather than traditional storytelling techniques alone.

At the same time, many designers are exploring minimalism and abstraction, moving away from overly realistic representations to create symbolic and suggestive environments that focus on mood rather than realism. The evolving role of the designer as a collaborator with directors and playwrights has also reinforced these trends, as designers today have a more equal voice in shaping the vision and narrative of a production.