Stage Design
Panels
Study Application
Stage Design in the Bachelor study programme
Bachelor’s students in the Department of Stage Design focus on the development of an independent artistic vision. Engaging in historical-critical reflection on a range of theoretical and practical issues relating to the design of theatrical spaces in different cultural contexts both past and present, students of the course learn to relate this focus to contemporary discourses on the development of theatre and issues of sustainable design. In so doing students endeavour to situate their work in the specific context of its development.
Individual and group work and research focuses on the design of stage spaces and spatial installations for scenic design in a theatre, musical theatre, film, television, online and performance context and within independent artistic projects. Students develop their skills by working on their artistic development project and benefit from teacher feedback at all stages from idea to realization, given in individual and group tutorials. Beginning at the concept stage, the realization process moves through the design and modelling stages and culminates in a stage-ready production. The process incorporates experimental working practices in spaces and digital worlds, digital design methods and performance.
Students are provided with training in the handicraft and technical skills requisite to this process including stage drawing, model making and photography, CAD, digital printing, digital image editing and video editing. Workshop sessions afford them the opportunity to practice and refine these skills using a range of materials (such as wood, metal, ceramics, printing, digital/materials, media technology and electronics, camera/lighting/sound). They also develop an analytical understanding of the various approaches to content and form involved in the areas of direction, dramaturgy, costume, lighting, sound and video.
In addition to the opportunity afforded to students to exhibit and communicate their own work at the HFBK annual exhibition and graduation exhibitions, the department maintains a number of cooperation agreements with institutions and independent practitioners in the art scene (such as Theaterakademie Hamburg, Thalia-Theater, Schauspiel Hamburg and Kampnagel) which provide our students with the opportunity to gather experience in the communication and discussion of works of art.
The HFBK also maintains a number of international exchange programmes and project cooperation agreements with various institutions throughout the world, which afford our students the opportunity to refine the insights gained into their chosen discipline by engaging with other cultural contexts. The fundamentally interdisciplinary nature of the degree courses taught at the HFBK enables our students to engage with related disciplines, thereby developing their artistic endeavours within a broader methodological framework.
Supplementary academic training enables students of this course to explore a range of issues in art theory, history and method. Relating this to their own experience, students are able to refine their artistic approach and historical understanding.
Stage Design in the Master study programme
The Master’s degree course taught in the Department of Stage Design enables its students to develop their abilities in the independent formulation of artistic questions. It also enables them to refine their critical reflection skills by confronting a range of theoretical and practical issues concerning the development and exploration of scene spaces.
The Master’s degree course tests the knowledge and experience in the application of artistic methods and strategies acquired within the scope of a Bachelor's degree course within scenic projects in/involving public spaces. The course places a particular focus on contemporary discourses on the future of theatre and project sustainability.
Students work individually and in groups on the design of stage spaces and spatial installations for scenic design (in a theatre, musical theatre, film, television, online and performance context and within independent artistic projects) with the aim of developing and refining their independent artistic vision. They develop their skills by working on their artistic development project, and benefit from teacher feedback at all stages from idea to realization given in individual and group tutorials. Beginning at the concept stage, the realization process moves through the design and modelling stages and culminates in a stage-ready production. The process incorporates experimental working practices in spaces and digital worlds, digital design methods and performance.
The degree course seeks to promote its students’ analytical understanding of the range of possible approaches to content and form in the areas of directing, dramaturgy, costume, lighting, sound and video. Workshop sessions afford them the opportunity to practice the handicraft and technical skills developed for a range of materials (e.g. wood, metal, ceramics, print, digital/material, media technology and electronics, camera/light/sound).
The fundamentally interdisciplinary nature of the degree courses taught at the HFBK enables their students to engage with related disciplines. Supplementary courses taught in the Department of Theory and History enable students to explore a range of issues in their chosen field.
In addition to the opportunity afforded to students to exhibit and communicate their own work at the HFBK annual exhibition and graduation exhibitions, the HFBK maintains a number of exchange programmes and project cooperation agreements with institutions and independent practitioners in the art scene in Germany (such as Theaterakademie Hamburg, Thalia-Theater, Schauspiel Hamburg, Kampnagel) and an international context, which afford them an insight into a range of non-university and intercultural artistic and working settings, where they can gather experience of the communication and discussion of works of art.