Journal of Development Communication And Applied Theatre

Set construction is a fundamental component of scenography, shaping the visual identity of theatrical performance and influencing audience perception through the creative organisation of stage space. Contemporary theatre practice increasingly demands innovative scenic solutions that combine artistic imagination with technical execution to achieve functional and aesthetic objectives. This study examines set construction practices and scenographic innovation between 2024 and 2026, focusing on ―Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again‖, ―The Lion and the Jewel‖, ―Morountodun‖, ―The Gods Are Not to Blame‖, and ―The 2026 Theatre Arts Initiation productions‖. The study adopts qualitative textual and performance analysis, examining the scenic designs employed in the selected productions with emphasis on construction techniques, spatial organisation, material selection, scene transitions, symbolism, and the relationship between scenic elements and dramatic action. This study is anchored on Semiotic Theory, which examines how signs and symbols generate meaning within a communicative system. The analysis demonstrates that Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Theatre Arts department productions effectively combine conventional stagecraft with innovative scenographic approaches through the adaptation of locally sourced materials, flexible set configurations, symbolic design elements, and creative visual composition. These practices not only enhanced the aesthetic quality of the productions but also reinforced thematic interpretation, performer mobility, and audience engagement despite technical and resource constraints. The study concludes that scenographic innovation in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Theatre Arts productions reflects an evolving culture of creative problem-solving and technical ingenuity that contributes to the advancement of contemporary university theatre practice in Nigeria. It therefore highlights the importance of innovative set construction as a catalyst for improving stage aesthetics, performance effectiveness, and technical theatre scholarship.

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