From day-time open-air theatres like the Globe or even the Colosseum, stories told around a roaring fire to a candle’s lifetime defining the length of an act, light has always played an important role in theatre and storytelling. Sound, just as much as light, is integral to storytelling. From spaces designed to carry the voice of an actor (ancient Greek theatre or even our very own Abbey Theatre), to live music and special effects, sound carries our stories and voices. Technology today has completely changed the way we approach these inherent aspects of performance (https://illuminated-integration.com/blog/how- technology-has-changed-theater/) and it is paramount for theatre-makers to understand how the technology and science of these element can influence and ultimately play a central role in the mechanics of storytelling. Indeed, in today’s day and age, light and sound are not only used in order to see and hear, but they also play an integral part in storytelling. They can influence the scene in terms of atmosphere and mood, tension, they can reflect characters’ thoughts and direct the eye of the audience, acting as a lens.


The aim of ‘The Science of Theatre’ is to offer participants the opportunity to play with and explore these concepts as actors, designers and audience members. As such, they will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for these elements of storytelling.