Prize(s) Winners in Stage Lighting
Lighting Design/Product Company Eleftheria Deko Lighting Design studio
Lead Designers Eleftheria Deko
Other Designer's names Nasia Lazou, Sotiris Roumeliotis
Client National Theatre of Northern Greece and Cyprus Theatre Organisation
Photo Credits Stavros Habakis, Mike Rafail
Completion Date 12/07/2025
Project Location Epidaurus Ancient Theatre
Entry DescriptionIn the three Rhapsodies, a nameless, shipwrecked Odysseus arrives on the Phaeacian island as the Stranger, a figure both enigmatic and vulnerable.
From the opening, the stage is transformed into a dreamlike shore: reeds sway in light and shadow, a fabric floats above like a whisper of wind, and a tri-axial vertical structure with integrated LED rises like a luminous anchor shifting from cool to warm white light. At the back, a large white panel becomes a living cyclorama, dissolving from text to color washes, expanding the stage into an abstract horizon. Light breathes with the performers and follows their movement. Strong backlighting sculpts the bodies of the performers. Sudden shafts of brilliance punctuate key moments, like Odysseus entering for the first time the palace of the Phaeacians. Warm ambers tones evoke shelter and hospitality, while cooler tones ignite the athletic contests of Theta Rhapsody, charged with ritualistic energy. Smoke plays a vital role coming out through the tri-axial structure while also drifts around the orchestra surrounding the stage and the actors, forming an ethereal landscape where everything shifts in an interplay of light and shadow. Light arrives like dawn or creates a nightscape under stars as the Stranger sleeps. Each luminous shift becomes a dramaturgical act, guiding Odysseus journey toward recognition and belonging.
Sustainability ApproachThe lighting design for Three Rhapsodies of Odyssey in Ancient Theater of Epidaurus embraces ephemerality and environmental sensitivity. As the installation lasts only two days, the design prioritizes dimmed, low-impact illumination, minimizing energy consumption while creating immersive atmospheres. LED sources are chosen for energy efficiency, and all fixtures are positioned to respect and preserve the integrity of the monument. Smoke effects and cyclorama projections are carefully managed to reduce material and energy waste. The design follows circular economy principles: equipment is reused, refitted, and recycled wherever possible. Overall, the approach ensures a visually transformative experience with minimal environmental footprint.
Company DescriptionEleftheria Deko and Associates is an award-winning lighting studio specializing in architectural lighting design, stage lighting, and event lighting. With an extensive experience in numerous and significant lighting projects, implemented in public and private spaces, the multidisciplinary team, provides integrated lighting solutions and design approaches that respond to the specific needs of diverse clients.
