SCENIC DESIGNER
A designer is telling the story visually. As set designer, I am building the world on which the story will take place. With guidance from the director, I must solve the logistical problems of the play: where to enter, where to sit, how this moment can work, etc. But I must also make the play pleasing to watch and easy to access visually. The design must also make the story clear to this particular audience. No play is the same. No production of the same play uses the same design. Each is a unique exploration of that play, directed by that director, for that given moment. Once all of this is researched and discussed with the director and other designers, the real work begins. It usually starts as a sketch or idea and expands to a model. The model itself gives the director the ability to imagine how the play might work in that world. Through several iterations and changes, a scenic design becomes a reality. It now must be implemented so that it goes from the idea on paper to something a director and actors can use.
In my most recent design, I have been working on Julius Caesar. This historical play is being re-imagined in a modern world that is changing. It needed to feel like it was modern and timeless. When doing the research, I was struck by the image of ancient architecture being rebuilt. It seemed like a fitting image for the play. It references ancient Rome. But it also asks questions. Is this being rebuilt because of war and turmoil? Are we trying to hold on to the past? Is this old world collapsing or being remade? These questions seemed pertinent to this re-telling of this great play. I used these strong visuals to begin to build that world. I created a world that served the play, re-imagined it for an audience, and made it feel timeless. It has metal and concrete, ancient pillars and moldings. In the model below, the set will include pillars that are being rebuilt- complete with scaffolding. The images below served as inspriation and the transition from the digital model to the actual set (currently in process). Further down is a list of my work in scenic design and some additional images.
In my most recent design, I have been working on Julius Caesar. This historical play is being re-imagined in a modern world that is changing. It needed to feel like it was modern and timeless. When doing the research, I was struck by the image of ancient architecture being rebuilt. It seemed like a fitting image for the play. It references ancient Rome. But it also asks questions. Is this being rebuilt because of war and turmoil? Are we trying to hold on to the past? Is this old world collapsing or being remade? These questions seemed pertinent to this re-telling of this great play. I used these strong visuals to begin to build that world. I created a world that served the play, re-imagined it for an audience, and made it feel timeless. It has metal and concrete, ancient pillars and moldings. In the model below, the set will include pillars that are being rebuilt- complete with scaffolding. The images below served as inspriation and the transition from the digital model to the actual set (currently in process). Further down is a list of my work in scenic design and some additional images.
Julius Caesar, Wheaton College Arena Theater
A Midsummer Nights Dream, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
Henry IV, Part 1, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, (2019) Wheaton College Arena Theater
The Tempest, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
The Sneeze (2016) Wheaton College Arena Theater
As You Like It, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
Midsummer Night’s Dream, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
Much Ado about Nothing, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
Love’s Labours Lost, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
12th Night (2012), Shakespeare, Wheaton College Arena Theater
Rodgers and Hart- A Celebration, (2012) Opera Music Theater
Eurydice (2011), Sarah Ruhl, Wheaton College Arena Theater
Hansel and Gretel (2011), Humperdinck, Opera Music Theater
Attracted, One-Acts (2010) Wheaton College Arena Theater
Rape of Lucretia, Benjamin Britten (2010) Opera Music Theater
Merrily We Roll Along, Sondheim and Furth (2009) Wheaton College Arena Theater
Patience, Gilbert and Sullivan (2008) Opera Music Theater
Godspell, Swartz and Tebelak (2007) Wheaton College Arena Theater
The Hamlet Project, William Shakespeare (2006) Wheaton College Arena Theater
Educating Rita, Willy Russell (2006) Wheaton Summer Project
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Clark Gesner (2005) Wheaton College Arena Theater
Till Death Do Us Part, Anton Chekhov one-acts (2005) Wheaton Shakespeare Project
Blur, Melanie Marnich, (West Coast premiere) (2004) Meadows Basement Theater
Rebound and Gagged, Aaron Ginsburg (2004) Meadows Basement Theater
Isabella’s Fortune, Wade McIntyre (2003) Meadows Basement Theater
Endgame, Samuel Beckett (2001) Grand Junction Theater Company
A Midsummer Nights Dream, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
Henry IV, Part 1, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, (2019) Wheaton College Arena Theater
The Tempest, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
The Sneeze (2016) Wheaton College Arena Theater
As You Like It, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
Midsummer Night’s Dream, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
Much Ado about Nothing, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
Love’s Labours Lost, Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park, Wheaton
12th Night (2012), Shakespeare, Wheaton College Arena Theater
Rodgers and Hart- A Celebration, (2012) Opera Music Theater
Eurydice (2011), Sarah Ruhl, Wheaton College Arena Theater
Hansel and Gretel (2011), Humperdinck, Opera Music Theater
Attracted, One-Acts (2010) Wheaton College Arena Theater
Rape of Lucretia, Benjamin Britten (2010) Opera Music Theater
Merrily We Roll Along, Sondheim and Furth (2009) Wheaton College Arena Theater
Patience, Gilbert and Sullivan (2008) Opera Music Theater
Godspell, Swartz and Tebelak (2007) Wheaton College Arena Theater
The Hamlet Project, William Shakespeare (2006) Wheaton College Arena Theater
Educating Rita, Willy Russell (2006) Wheaton Summer Project
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Clark Gesner (2005) Wheaton College Arena Theater
Till Death Do Us Part, Anton Chekhov one-acts (2005) Wheaton Shakespeare Project
Blur, Melanie Marnich, (West Coast premiere) (2004) Meadows Basement Theater
Rebound and Gagged, Aaron Ginsburg (2004) Meadows Basement Theater
Isabella’s Fortune, Wade McIntyre (2003) Meadows Basement Theater
Endgame, Samuel Beckett (2001) Grand Junction Theater Company