One of the things I love most about teaching theater is discovering creative solutions to common production challenges. Storybook scenic design is one of those imaginative approaches that can transform a stage without requiring elaborate scenery or a large budget. Sometimes the simplest ideas turn out to be the most effective, especially when you’re working with a small stage, limited storage, or limited resources.
Recently, I came across a fascinating scenic design idea from Matt Kizer of Scenic and Lightingt hat I thought was worth sharing with my fellow drama teachers and theater directors. His article, Multi-Page Storybook Panels, explores a clever approach to creating scenery that changes much like the pages of a giant storybook.
And what drama teacher couldn’t find a use for that?
Occasionally, I read a blog post I think teachers would be interested in reading, too. Check: What is Shakespeare in the Park and Why Should I Like It?
A Creative Solution for Changing Scenery
One of the biggest challenges in school theater is figuring out how to create several different locations without building an enormous collection of scenery. We want our students to experience the magic of theatrical design, but we also have to consider available space, construction time, budgets, and the practical realities of changing scenery during a performance.
That’s what makes this storybook panel concept so interesting. By using hinged scenic panels that turn like pages, a production can reveal different settings without requiring traditional scene changes involving numerous individual flats. Imagine using this approach for a fairy tale, a children’s theater production, or a play that travels through several locations.
The possibilities are exciting!
Here’s is Matt’s approach for his design of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: https://youtu.be/no1haJPCWt0?si=4Zxti6oz5UzB7QkU
Multi-Page Storybook Panels by Matt Kizer
The following article and illustrations are shared with permission from Matt Kizer, creator of Scenic and Lighting.
[INSERT MATT KIZER’S ORIGINAL ARTICLE AND ILLUSTRATIONS HERE]
Original article: Multi-Page Storybook Panels
Bringing This Idea Into the Drama Classroom
What particularly appeals to me about this design is its potential as a technical theater teaching tool.
Students don’t necessarily have to construct full-size scenery to learn from the concept. In fact, I think this would make a terrific classroom design challenge.
Storybook Scenic Design Challenge
Ask students to imagine they’re designing scenery for a production that requires at least three different locations.
Their challenge? Create a simple scenery changes for school play design that allows the audience to travel from one location to another using a series of hinged panels.
Students could:
- Choose a familiar fairy tale or short play with multiple settings.
- Sketch three or four different scenic locations.
- Design a miniature model using cardboard, cardstock, or other inexpensive materials.
- Experiment with the placement of hinges and the movement of the panels.
- Explain how their design would work during an actual performance.
For older students, the assignment could include considerations such as sightlines, backstage space, construction materials, and the practical challenges of operating the scenery.
I particularly like the problem-solving aspect of this activity. Students must think beyond what scenery looks like and consider how scenery actually functions during a performance.
That’s an important distinction in technical theater education.
Why Creative Scenic Solutions Matter
Over my many years of directing school and youth theater productions, I’ve learned that a limited budget doesn’t necessarily mean limited creativity.
Sometimes those limitations inspire our most inventive solutions. A design like this encourages students to think about storytelling, movement, visual composition, and engineering all at once.
And perhaps best of all, it demonstrates that scenery doesn’t always have to be complicated to be effective.
Thank You, Matt!
I’d like to thank Matt Kizer for generously giving me permission to share his article and illustrations with DramaMommaSpeaks readers.
If you teach technical theater, direct school productions, or simply enjoy discovering clever scenic design ideas, I encourage you to explore his website, Scenic and Lighting.
And…if you are looking for set design units for your classroom, check out: High School Set Design
It’s always a pleasure to discover theater professionals who are willing to share their knowledge and creative ideas with educators.
Happy directing!
Deb