Types of Scenery

While the design process itself may be no simple task, the amateur designer may find comfort in the fact that here are really only three types of scenery: backdrops, flats, and platforms.

Backdrops

Backdrops are curtains or drops. They are unframed, painted pieces of canvas or other material and are used to provide the background for a scene. Backdrops give the audience a basic feel for the setting of a play. They can be as simple as a cyc that is lighted to look like the sky or as complex as a very detailed painting of a landscape.

As the name implies, backdrops are usually placed at the back of the stage. It is sometimes useful to use backdrops as curtains to separate the stage into different acting areas. For example, the term “In One” refers to the downstage third (or fourth) of the stage and is separated from the rest of the stage by its own backdrop. This allows scene changes to occur behind the backdrop, while a scene is acted in front of the “In One” scenery.

Backdrops may be attached to a pipe and flown in from above, unrolled from above or below, attached to the back wall of the stage, or even brought in from the side on a traverse rail.

If the play calls for it, or you have backdrops available and are on a limited budget, or you are not able to build an actual set, a play can be performed entirely on a bare stage with nothing put backdrops as the only type of scenery.

Flats

Flats are framed pieces of scenery. Most often, the frame is made out of wood and is covered in either canvas (for a ‘soft’ flat) or a thin sheet of wood. The flat surface is then painted and decorated in whatever way is needed for the design.

The basic flat is four feet by eight feet (4′ x 8′) and is usually attached to other flats to create walls. This is how most sets are built. However, flats can be made into any shape, such as trees, cars, or whatever is needed.

Flats may be supported from above or braced to each other or the stage walls. If the theater allows it, flats may also be attached to the stage floor. More often than not, however, flats will need to be attached to platforms.

Platforms

Platforms are framed pieces made of wood that serve as floors, landings, and other horizontal surfaces. They help to separate the acting area into levels, which may be connected to each other using stairs or other platforms. Platforms can be placed at any height by adding legs of the length needed.

As stated above, flats may be attached secured to platform to create scenery units that have both a floor and walls.

Wagons

Wagons could be counted as a fourth type of scenery, but they are really just platforms with wheels. Building a set piece — a platform with flats attached — as a wagon would allow the scenery to be rolled on and off the stage as needed.

Knowing the Different Types of Scenery Helps

As a scene designer, you are faced with the great task of creating a great set for a show. Your job is easier if you remember that there are only three basic types of scenery. Now all you have to do is figure out which is appropriate for your show. That, of course, all depends on the type of show you’re doing, what the director wants, and how much space you have to store all of the scenery.