The stage floor is the first element of consideration for a stage designer. He must work with producers and directors and know where the actors are going to be at given times during the show in order to place steps, ramps, platforms and even trap doors that will add realism to the production.
During the history of theater, background trends have changed. Elaborate realistic back drops in previous centuries gave way to modern minimalism, in which the focus was the actors. Backgrounds today are up to the discretion of the set designer, the producers and the director. Backgrounds can be left black or they can be part of a box set that tries to realistically create the feeling of being in a room. Backgrounds can include murals and props such as paintings or wall sconces.
Specific units of scenery can be anything from trees and rocks to doors and windows. These units are directly related to the telling of the drama production because they are often used by the actors. They have the ability to imply a specific type of place just on their own. For example, a tree can imply being outdoors without needing to have a sun, open sky and grass to complete the picture.
These are the last considerations of the set designer, but no less important than the other elements. These are the details of the set that complete the designer's vision of the scene. Chairs, beds, stools, lamps, etc. allow the audience to place the characters and get lost in the play itself by identifying with the actors' surroundings.
Lighting plays a very important role in the production of a show. In previous centuries lighting was simply a line of candles at the apron of the stage. Lighting then progressed to gas and electric. Large spotlights are placed in the ceiling of the theater both on and behind the stage itself and in front of it. At times men on scaffolds were directed to move the lights during a performance. Today, lights are controlled by computerized control boards that allow for complex lighting effects. From fading and strobing to any variety of colors, lighting is just as much a part of stage design as the other four elements.