Automotive Scenography – Blending Car Design with Theatrical Scenography
Theatre Performance Car | Palle Steen - Scenographer | 3D Designer
Car styling • Automotive design • Theatre Performance Car • pallesteen.dk • September 2017
In September 2017, I was commissioned by scenographer Palle Steen Christensen to develop and design a unique automotive styling concept for a theatre performance.
The concept, inspired by dynamic design principles, was based on a Mercedes AMG roadster and was envisioned as the centrepiece of the stage design. The car was designed to split apart dramatically during the performance, culminating in a staged accident at the climax of the play.
Although the project did not progress beyond its initial phase due to financial constraints, it provided valuable experience in creative strategy, automotive design, and design consulting. The theatre ultimately used an older vehicle combined with lighting effects to achieve a similar visual impact.
This project strengthened my ability to integrate industrial design thinking into theatrical storytelling, reinforcing my passion for merging form, function, and performance.
Below are styling images of the concept, which are also used as cover images on the page.
Description about the theater piece from the Funen Opera
The concept car seen from the front in a photo studio scene from KeyShot, where the lighting highlights its dynamic shapes that define its unique character. The plant in the background was later added in Photoshop.
The rear features a minimalist design with clean lines and a smooth surface, inspired by classic car styling and modern product design. The 3D model was created in Alias StudioTools, and the image was produced and rendered in KeyShot.
The car design concept seen from the side, created in the 3D program AliasDesign and rendered in KeyShot. The model was placed in a photo studio scene where the lighting highlights its dynamic shapes, giving the car its distinctive character.
A 3D visualization of a car concept based on a Mercedes AMG Roadster designed for a theatre performance. The 3D car concept is placed in an industrial KeyShot scene, where the contrast between its elegant form language and the raw container surroundings creates a striking visual effect.
The theatre car design concept visualized in a KeyShot scene featuring a raw urban street setting. Later, certain objects were added in Photoshop, including a river waterfront in front of the car and a rowboat in the corner, enhancing the scene’s liveliness. The car’s wheel design was also created by Roug Design.
3D KeyShot visualization of the car concept, front view, positioned in a modern urban space where its dynamic design and Scandinavian aesthetics create an elegant contrast to the surroundings. The car’s platform is based on a Mercedes AMG Roadster and was designed for a theatre performance, incorporating innovative style and dramatic elements.
A harmonious integration of classic car styling and modern product design, where the car’s fluid lines are emphasized by the city’s architecture.
3D modeled in Alias StudioTools and later rendered in KeyShot, this visualization highlights the car’s design in a sharp, raw industrial setting. The harbor pier in the foreground was later added in Photoshop to enhance the scene’s realism.
Studies of the car’s integration into an open urban space, where its form harmonizes with the city environment. The flowers in the background were added in Photoshop after the image was rendered in KeyShot.
The car’s aerodynamic rear contrasts with the natural maritime environment, emphasizing its elegant design lines. The 3D model was rendered in KeyShot, and later a flower box was added to the side of the image in Photoshop to create a more balanced composition.
The car concept seen from the front, positioned in an exclusive location by a marina, where the surroundings highlight its luxurious and timeless design expression.
Overview of all 3D-rendered KeyShot images of the theatre car concept. I collaborated with Palle Steen Christensen to design a car concept for the Funen Opera.
Final Thoughts on the Theatre Car Concept
The theatre car concept was a unique opportunity to merge automotive design with scenography in a creative and dramatic stage setting. Through 3D modeling in Alias StudioTools and rendering in KeyShot, the car’s visual identity was shaped with a focus on dynamism, aesthetics, and theatrical impact.
Although the project was not fully realized, it was a valuable experience that provided insights into integrating automotive design within a scenographic framework. The process strengthened my skills in design thinking, visual styling, and creative problem-solving.
This concept demonstrates how design can extend beyond traditional boundaries and become a central element in artistic storytelling.