- The earliest use of theatrical set design began in ancient Greece. This was when the skene (meaning "scene") was created, which was a hut in the auditorium where actors could change their costumes and masks. This innovation became the first man-made scenic background, besides serving as a changing room.*
- Roman theater, though similar to the Greek, made some major changes to scenic design. The skene, orchestra, and auditorium were unified into a single building. The auditorium and orchestra became semi-circular, and the façade of the skene became more elaborately decorated.*
- The Italian Renaissance introduced perspective painting to set design, to create depth and different elevations for the action on stage. ** This kind of scenery marked the emergence of the scene painter, then the scenic designer. In later theaters of the era, the stage floor area was increased, and wings and the proscenium arch were introduced.*
- During the Baroque period, Giacomo Torelli developed changeable scenery using chariots, ropes, and pulleys which allowed more complex settings. ** This not only saved labor, but also created spectacular scenic effects, the popularity of which led to a notable increase in the number of set changes per opera.
- In the 19th century, interest in realism spurred further development in set design with the introduction of assorted props in each set, and the creation of box sets, or three-sided sets meant to simulate interior rooms with entrances and exits. **
- In the 20th century, famous set designer Adolf Appia created a new standard of set design using representational props to symbolize a fully stocked set without overcrowding the stage. Today, Appia's detailed, symbolic method with computer-generated projections adds a realism to sets while maintaining the audiences' focus on the performers.**
*Information from "The evolution of stage design, from ancient Greece to Italian Renaissance to modern India" from www.scroll.in
**Information from "What is Set Design? - History & Process" at www.study.com
