The Top 5 Misconceptions About Projection in Theatre
Image Credit: DeviantArt
There’s a phrase I hear a lot when people talk about using projection on stage:
"Oh yeah, we used projection once. It was basically just a PowerPoint."
And every time I hear it, I wince a little. Not because they’re wrong about what they experienced, but because projection can be so much more than that.
So, let’s clear the air. Whether you’re a drama teacher, a production manager, or just theatre-curious, this post breaks down the top 5 myths about projection in theatre. Let’s get myth-busting.
1. “Projection is just a PowerPoint Presentation.”
This one’s a classic. And to be fair, if you’ve ever seen someone throw a random image onto a backdrop using a classroom projector, you might agree. But true projection design is a completely different beast.
Modern theatre projection involves layered digital artwork, lighting passes, subtle animation, and precise cueing. Tools like Cinema 4D, Photoshop, and After Effects let designers create rich, immersive scenic environments that are tailored to a scene’s mood, action, and lighting states.
In other words, if you’re still thinking PowerPoint Presentation, it might be time for an upgrade.
2. “Projection looks flat and lifeless.”
Projection can look flat, but it doesn’t have to. In fact, one of the most exciting things about projection is its ability to suggest depth, dimension, and movement without needing any actual physical layers.
Through careful use of perspective, shadows, and ambient light, projected scenery can feel surprisingly 3D. A forest can feel dense. A hallway can seem endless. A castle can glow from within. Add lighting transitions, animated touches, and cued moments, and suddenly it breathes.
So no, it doesn’t have to be lifeless. In the right hands, it can be one of the most expressive tools on the stage.
3. “It’s just a cheaper option, not real design.”
Let’s talk about budgets. Yes, projection can be a cost-effective way to stage large-scale productions, especially for schools and community theatre groups. But that doesn’t mean it’s a lesser option.
Good projection design takes time, skill, and theatrical know-how. It involves understanding colour theory, storytelling, composition, scale, lighting, cueing, and how an audience reads space.
In fact, many major Broadway and West End shows use projection and LED walls not because they have to, but because it serves the story in a way nothing else can.
4. “Projection takes away from the actors and physical set.”
This myth comes up a lot. And it usually comes from one bad experience where projection overwhelmed the scene, too much animation, projector not bright enough, or felt disconnected from the performance.
But when used thoughtfully, projection doesn’t steal the spotlight. It supports it. It can help actors transition between locations faster, reinforce emotional tone, or even make a simple set feel expansive.
It’s not about replacing scenery, it’s about enhancing the world around it.
5. “Projection doesn’t belong in traditional theatre.”
Projection is nothing new. In fact, early versions of it go back to 19th-century illusion tricks like Pepper’s Ghost. And in modern theatre, projection has been embraced across genres, from opera to Shakespeare to Disney classics.
Like lighting and sound design, projection is now a key part of the theatre toolbox. It doesn’t matter if the show is modern or period, musical or play, if it tells the story, it belongs.
Final Thought
Projection isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about opening doors.
Done well, it creates a visual storytelling language that connects with audiences in real time. And for many productions, especially in schools and amateur theatre, it offers creative freedom that might otherwise be out of reach.
So, if you’ve been on the fence about using projection, or you’ve had a not-so-great experience in the past, maybe it’s time to take another look.
Because this isn’t a PowerPoint presentation. This is scenic design for the digital age.
