A Director’s Essential Conversation with Their Set Designer
Originally published by Christopher Peterson on OnStage Blog on June 15, 2025, in “10 Questions Every Director Should Be Asking Their Set Designer.” (Adapted for LighthousePlays.com)
Why This Matters
Collaboration is at the heart of great theatre. A set designer is far more than someone who builds the scenery—they’re architects of mood, atmosphere, and narrative context. As Christopher Peterson reminds us, the most valuable collaborator is not the one who nods in agreement, but the one who challenges you with better questions . Below are ten questions every director should ask—not just to guide the process, but to unlock richer storytelling.
10 Questions to Shape Theatrical Storytelling
1. What story are we telling with the space?
Go beyond plot mechanics. Ask your designer what emotional arc, tension, or rhythm the set embodies. The set should feel like a living presence—not background scenery. If this emotional role isn’t clear, the audience won’t feel it, either .
2. What’s the metaphor here?
Effective design often rests on metaphor. A broken wall, a staircase leading nowhere—these elements can carry tremendous thematic weight. Ask your designer about the visual thesis behind their design, the subtle metaphor that elevates it from attractive to profound .
3. How will the set support transitions?
Scene changes aren’t just technical necessities—they’re rhythmical beats—moments of suspense, quiet, or levity. Clarifying how the set aids these transitions can preserve—or even enhance—your show’s momentum during tech week .
4. What’s the actor’s relationship to the set?
Are your characters grounded in that world, or at odds with it? The way actors interact with the set—leaning on a table, avoiding a doorway—can communicate volumes about power dynamics, comfort, or fear .
5. What are the limitations we need to name right now?
Be upfront about constraints—budget, spatial quirks, venue limitations. Acknowledging these early fosters creativity and prevents surprises when the clock is ticking .
6. Where can we build in surprises?
Small intentional reveals—a panel that flips open, a window opening onto light—can turn a standard moment into a memorable one. A carefully placed surprise can linger with your audience long after the show ends .
7. What are your inspirations or references?
Seeing your designer’s reference images—maybe something unexpected—can unlock fresh ideas and a richer collaboration. Let it unlock their creative language .
8. How does this set interact with the other design elements?
Scenery doesn’t exist in isolation. Lighting, costumes, and movement all interplay with the set. Ask how these elements sync up to create a cohesive world .
9. What’s our plan for rehearsal logistics?
Details like tape outlines, rehearsal furniture, or scale models may sound mundane—but they make rehearsal smoother. This clarity helps actors and crew focus on what truly matters: the storytelling .
10. What’s something bold you’ve been wanting to try?
This question always brings a spark. Sometimes these ideas make the show—in other cases, just being asked deepens the collaboration and opens the door to risk-taking and innovation .
Final Thoughts
Working with a designer who sees beyond the surface and dares you to dream can transform your production. Trust their vision, ask brave questions, and listen deeply. As Peterson puts it, the best collaborator isn’t the one who agrees—they’re the one who inspires a better show .