Ideally, each backdrop should be suitable for a handful of settings, and ensure that characters within your story return to a location more than once. You’ll also need to consider what the stage will look like when actors are performing. Make sure there’s collaboration between set designers and directors so that there’s enough room for blocking, movement as well as set transitions. When designing a set for a play, you need to factor set changes in your story. Transitions need to be quick – you don’t want to spend 10 mins changing scenes. Save more drastic changes for intermission and rehearse transitions as much as possible in the lead up to performances.
