"Fairy Tale Atlas" Set Design: An Interview with Tolunay Türköz
Tolunay Türköz, the set designer for Inspera Children’s Theater’s “Fairy Tale Atlas” project, shares the secrets behind this magical atmosphere that brings different cultures together on the same stage. In this project, where the tiniest details can create vast worlds, every play opens a new window onto children’s imaginations.
Visual Consistency in Cross-Cultural Design
The Fairy Tale Atlas project reaches many corners of the world and brings fairy tales from different cultures to the stage. Set designer Tolunay Türköz made reflecting cross-cultural diversity a priority while developing this project.
The core concept of the design was to create a structure that is adaptable and transformable yet always appears like the pages of the same atlas. According to this approach:
- The stage looks familiar in every fairy tale
- Each culture finds its place on stage with its own distinct character
- Visual consistency is maintained across the plays
- Each fairy tale transforms into a new world
Building Vast Worlds with Tiny Details
Compared to other plays, the Fairy Tale Atlas project features smaller set elements. Tiny props, puppets, and transformable objects serve as the strongest pillars of stage design in children’s theater.
In children’s theater, being “big” is not about physical dimensions but about impact. According to designer Türköz:
- A tiny object or detail can tell the story of a whole world
- When children catch a hint, they can fill in the rest in their minds
- It’s not every detail on stage that matters—only the right symbols and associations should be placed
- Tools that spark the imagination should be used
For this reason, in the stage design of *Masal Atlası*, elements such as puppets, miniature structures, and transformable objects are used to engage children’s imaginations most effectively.
The Gilgamesh Project: Bringing Prehistoric Splendor to the Stage
“Gilgamesh,” the next project by Inspera Children’s Theater, speaks to today’s audience with the splendor of prehistoric times. The design process aims to bring the stone textures, mythological symbols, and relationship with nature of Ancient Mesopotamia to the stage.
For the stage design of the Gilgamesh project, designer Tolunay Türköz will adopt the following approach:
- A stage concept that can be envisioned as an archaeological excavation site
- Narrating the past as it is revealed layer by layer
- Symbols emerging from beneath the earth
- A tale of heroism racing against time
The Role of Set Design in Children’s Theater
Inspera Children’s Theater places importance not only on presenting a play on stage but also on creating a world of imagination. Set design is one of the most fundamental tools that allows children to enter this imaginary world.
Even before the play begins, young audience members step into that world. Through colors, shapes, and light, they begin their journey through this imaginary environment. According to designer Türköz:
- Every design element encourages children to use their imagination
- Children are already very open to using their imagination
- Our role is not to direct children, but to create space for their imagination
- When designing, children’s world must be taken seriously
In projects such as *Masal Atlası* and *Gılgamış*, Tolunay Türköz’s approach to set design opens the door for children to embark on a new adventure with every performance. Every element of the set—starting with the smallest details—triggers the emergence of endless possibilities in a child’s imagination.