Ground-breaking Stage Production Honored - Pioneering "Pandaemonium" at Staatstheater Kassel Secures Opus Award
The Opus Award, an annual accolade, is presented by the German Association for Event Technology and Media, the European Association of Event Centres, and Messe Frankfurt to honor exceptional accomplishments in stage design, technical implementation, staging, and lighting design. This year's coveted prize goes to the Staatstheater Kassel for their groundbreaking creation, 'Pandaemonium.'
Pandaemonium, an inventive box theatre concept, challenges the traditional limits of conventional productions. By adopting various stage surfaces and visual relationships, it brings the audience astoundingly close to the action. The innovative construction's standout feature is the expansive space between the seats, allowing for large opera performances, even during the Corona pandemic.
Operas like Wozzeck and Tosca were successfully carried out at Staatstheater Kassel with orchestra and choir in front of the audience.
A symbol of forward-thinking resilience in the face of the ongoing crisis, Pandaemonium was put together as a three-tiered, cross-shaped structure, incorporating main, back, and side stages that extended into the auditorium. This unique layout created a shared theatrical space, bridging the gap between auditorium, sound, and scenic areas.
The Pandaemonium's total scaffolding length exceeded 100 meters. The orchestra took center stage, while the audience of up to 270 was distributed across various levels throughout the stage complex, enabling performers to navigate the architecture freely and engage the audience. Video artists, such as Konrad Kaestner, contributed to the captivating visual experience with custom video designs.
The planning and execution of this project necessitated novel strategies, as the pandemic demanded a digital approach. Project team member Vincent Kaufmann, part of the "digital.DTHG" project, oversaw the entire production process virtually. In response to limited face-to-face interaction, this strategy became essential for coordinating the various contributors.
Since 2002, the Opus Award has been feature-rich at Prolight + Sound. This esteemed award is sponsored by the Association of Event Technology and Media, the European Association of Event Centres, and Messe Frankfurt, and a jury of experts selects the winner each year. The Opus Award shows and Prolight + Sound will run from April 25 to 28, 2023. For additional information on Opus and Prolight + Sound, visit www.prolight-sound.com.
The Opus Award, honoring exceptional achievements in stage design, technical implementation, staging, and lighting design, recognized Staatstheater Kassel for their revolutionary creation, 'Pandaemonium'. This cutting-edge box theatre concept, powered by event technology, pushes the boundaries of traditional productions through unique visual relationships and innovative stage design, creating an immersive entertainment experience for the audience.
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