Constructing Reality in Theatrical Spaces by Balancing Rhythm and Harmony of Lighting to Grant Performers Health and Wellbeing

Natural or artificial light is used in the psycho-cognitive approach as a tool to aid in constructing and classifying reality and to determine the syntactic norms of visual perception. The aim of this research is to critically assess current theatrical spaces to identify the effect of stage lighting quality on performers' health and wellbeing. It introduces an architectural strategy for the design of lighting conditions in theatrical spaces. Until now, research interest in the field of lighting has not paid significant critical attention to the health and wellbeing of performers. Therefore, this study is designed to fill the literature gap regarding this issue by answering the following question:

What are the effects of stage lighting in theatrical spaces on the health and wellbeing of performers on stage?

This research question was tested using the following main tools. A preliminary study was conducted to gain knowledge of the research problem. The Biophilic Healing Index for the Theatrical Stage was used to give a percentage score evaluation of how biophilic a stage design is, and the Lighting Beliefs Questionnaire was used to measure the stage lighting effect on performers. After analysing the findings from the surveys, the topology of proscenium and end stages were selected for further study. Finally, the main case study on Theatre A in Northern England was conducted by analysing the two different stage typologies (the proscenium and the end stage) and specific rehearsal spaces this theatre has.

A mixed methodology was adopted to analyse the two theatrical stages and their rehearsal spaces and to measure the performers’ health and wellbeing. The theatrical venues were subsequently evaluated using a mix of qualitative and quantitative data.

The research outcome adds a comprehensive understanding of the psychobiology of performers and the technical variables that impact performers’ individual reactions to the theatrical environment to the existing literature. The findings have significant implications for the development and implementation of theory-based interventions aimed at managing performers’ health and wellbeing and improving performance quality, while also producing recommendations for the future of theatrical designs.