Respecting Tradition: A Practical Exercise Using Theatrical Stage Lighting to Enhance a Work from Traditional Beijing Opera

Abstract

During the early 20th century, artists associated with Beijing Opera reformed various elements of the performance to reflect contemporary events. Attempts at reform were deemed unsuccessful since most traditional components of the Beijing Opera were obscured. This thesis explores the use of theatrical stage lighting with specific emphasis on the use of stage lighting to support the aspects of time, space, and mood which are inherent in the performance. The ultimate objective is to do this without destroying the original performance style associated with Beijing Opera. The practical component of this thesis is based on the McCandless method of stage lighting and the application of this method to the lighting design created for Murder of a Concubine, a traditional piece of repertory of the Beijing Opera. The culminating performance was presented on December 1st, 2013 on the Academic Hall stage in the Department of Theatre of the University of Ottawa.