design.
theatrical design 1
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of design as they relate to the theatrical design of sets, lights, and costumes. It consisted of a semester-long project where in a group of three we designed the scenery, costumes, and lighting for the play The Witch by Jen Silverman.
the witch by Jen Silverman
In a quiet village, a devil arrives to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest secrets.
The goal of our design was to create a basic set that could function as all three settings; The Banquet Hall, Elizabeth’s Cottage, and The Bar; while also having playing space for the arias. We also intended to include period relevant design elements in all three spheres: costuming, scenery and lighting.
scenic research
From research in the library and online we were drawn to the architectural style of old English pubs, chessboard motifs, and the idea of a raked stage.
scenic design
Our scenery was made of one basic set that could be shifted to resemble the three main locations in the play. The banquet hall, Elizabeth's cottage, and the bar. The banquet hall is raised above to symbolize Sir Arthur's power and its floor is a chees board to allude to the manipulation and strategy occurring in the character's relationships with each other.
costume research
I design Winnifred's and Sir Arthur's costumes. With Winnifred, I was drawn to her fragility, thus the blue china patterns. With Sir Arthur the turmoil within his iron exterior.
costume design
Both designs are neutral fabrics to match the color palette of the show. Winnifred's apron has flower detailing on the bottom to resemble the china plates I found in my research. Her outfit's silhouette is based on the typical silhouette of servants' clothing at the time.
Sir Arthur's costume is a mixture of metal armor and fabric. Pointing to his dominance and pride yet with softer elements to show his grief.
lighting research
I designed the lighting for Sir Arthur's Aria. I wanted to emphasize the grief he was feeling and the transcendence and secrecy of the moment. In his aria, he is talking to his late wife's portrait so I researched art lighting and then other elements of low light to show the secrecy.
lighting design
Lighting Sketch: Sir Arthur’s Aria – Act 1 Scene 11
The final design is a beam of light coming from upstage right with lights of the portrait and Sir Arthur. Then light rises onto Sir Arthur's face from a candle on the table. Then white light emanates from the cracked open door upstage.
“The castle is... a castle
and
not to be...
but it still feels
empty
so...
that’s a thing. An everyday sort of thing.”
final design presentation
This slideshow contains the full group design presentation. This project taught me a lot about creative collaboration, how to propose ideas, share ideas, combine ideas, and compromise ideas. It also gave me practical research experience that has helped my work in all areas of theatre since.
