Rendering Sets and
Perspective
Drawing
Technical Theatre
THE VANISHING POINT

To draw in perspective, draw a horizon line and draw a vanishing point anywhere on
the horizon. Lines which are parallel in real life are drawn to intersect at the
vanishing point
1 - POINT PERSPECTIVE
2 - POINT PERSPECTIVE
FIGURES IN THE DISTANCE

Distant figures appear smaller but have
the same shape and proportions as they
would close up. In geometry, we would
say that the figures are similar.
EXAMPLE

The picture below shows a long hallway with a window in the left
wall. The window is a trapezoid. Can you use your knowledge of
geometry to draw another window further down the hallway? An
entire row of windows? To start with the simplest problem, assume
the window tops are all at the same height in the hallway and
assume the window bottoms are all at the same level in the hallway.
Ground plans
Does a door open upstage or
downstage?
~ Doors should open upstage so that
the performer can be seen by the
audience.
Where is the furniture located?
~ the performers should be able to
move around the stage in a manner
that does not put them in danger. This
is true even if the set is supposed to
be "chaotic".
~Furniture should also face the
audience in such a way that the
audience can see the performers face,
unless otherwise directed.
How many steps will lead to a second
floor?
~This is important for the performer
to know so that they do not trip and
fall, thus hurting themselves. Also,
how steep, long and wide are the
steps?
Examples
Evita
The House of Bernarda Alba
by Federico Garcia Lorca adapted in
English by Emily Mann
Scenic Design by Mr. Scott Susong
https://faculty.rpcs.org/susongs/BernardaAlbaSet.htm
Annie Get Your Gun
by Irving Berlin, Herbert & Dorothy Fields revised by Peter Stone
Scenic Design by Allison Davis ('04), Kristen "Fizz" De Marco ('02) & Mr.
Scott Susong
https://faculty.rpcs.org/susongs/AGYG_ScenicDesign.htm
The Miracle Worker
by William Gibson with traditional Afro American spiritual
transitions
Scenic Design by Sarah Pack ('02), Jenni Schroeder ('02) & Mr. Scott
Susong
https://faculty.rpcs.org/susongs/Miraclesetdesign.htm
The Sound of Music
by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard
Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Scenic Design by Michelle Bray, Jane Hollon ('06), Allie
Simmons & Mr. Scott Susong
https://faculty.rpcs.org/susongs/sound_of_music_ScenicDesign.htm
Renderings
http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~pacshop/graphics.html
Computer Generated Set Design
http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~pacshop/graphics.html
Oedipus The King
Ground Plan
Directed by Richard Major
Set Design by Melissa Shafer
Costume Design by Karen Brewster
Lighting Design by Scott Hardy
Actual Production –
Oedipus The King
http://faculty.etsu.edu/shaferm/players.htm