The problems of using ancient theatres for opera and bale performances and sample of aspendos

There have been regulations and decisions made internationally on the usage of ancient theaters for performances. For the last fourteen years, in the opera and ballet performances that have been taking place in the Aspendos theatre ongoing technical and artistic problems have been observed. This fact has negatively been affecting the artisits, technical staff and stage designers in terms of the continuation and the improvement of the performances. Despite the existence of studies on the archeological and architectural data on Aspendos theater, a study from the perspective of art and modern stage design has not been evaluated yet. The purpose of this paper is to inspire new studies on the artistic evaluation as well as the restoration and preservation of the Aspendos theater. During the preparation of this paper, Aspendos theater has been visited and interviews have been conducted with the experts of the subject matter. In addition, in various international and national universities, ancient theaters, festivals and archeological studies along with the theoretical studies about modern stage techniques, have been examined. During the examinations and researches, first of all, organizational and financial difficulties have been observed in the International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival. It has been understood that there were no budget allocated on the production of performances. As far as the performances with a budget are concerned, it has been concluded that neither the structural features of the ancient theaters nor the efficient usage of ancient theater's historical structures have been stated. A renewal of the organizational structure of the International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival is required. During the period of the festival, the theater and its surroundings should be reorganized according to the regulations of preservation of ancient places of performances. In the performances of the festival, stage designers should create their designs according to the principal of elavation of theater by making use of the theater itself. In order to achieve this, the stage platform should be reconstructed, the truss system should be installed for the projection presentations and lighting design through preserving the ancient theater by the facilities of modern technology.