Tracing the Interplay of Architecture and Scenography: A Historical and Analytical Study of Theatre Design

Abstract

This thesis examines scenography as an architectural form of storytelling, exploring its evolution from ancient Greek and Roman theatres to contemporary performance spaces. It argues that scenography is not mere decoration but a spatial and narrative force that shapes audience perception, drawing on both technical precision and artistic sensitivity. By comparing Western traditions with Arab performative heritage, where oral storytelling and ritual performance historically replaced dedicated theatre architecture, the research highlights scenography’s culturally specific forms and its transformation through technological and artistic innovation. Combining historical analysis, visual critique, and practical design, the study investigates how architecture, painting, and scenographic tools such as light, sound, texture, and color shape emotional and ideological meaning. The research culminates in an original scenographic proposal for Ghassan Kanafani’s Men in the Sun, demonstrating scenography’s potential as a medium of cultural memory, political commentary, and emotional resonance. It concludes by advocating for scenography to be recognized as a critical spatial discipline, capable of bridging architectural thought with accessible, audience-centered storytelling.