Theater: Stage dressing and Construction

Wintersession allowed me to be a part of many sets at the same time, which I got to see being used in action. Seeing pieces that I worked on being used and played with by actors was definitely a gratifying and informative experience.

This is Collected Stories, which took place in a writer's apartment. The Matisse painting on the far right is mentioned often in the play, referring to the writer's eclectic style and fondness for collecting worldly art pieces. My art history helped me greatly in "curating" her apartment. 

Seminar was held in the larger upstairs theater. I constructed the stage and seatings here, and also painted some parts here and there. This one was definitely fun to watch how actors moved in a a minimal space like this set.

Theater: Set Design Studio

In conjunction with my theater internship, I took a class taught by a Brown University theater professor. I found that this class gave me an outlet for more conceptual stage designs, in order to maximize playing area flexibility and focus on building audience-actor relationship. While 2nd Story Theatre had contemporary plays, my class worked on Hamlet and Richard III to explore the universality of Shakespearean themes.

My professor often encouraged sets that were urban-inspired with a modernized time setting. I looked into places I was familiar with and remember being intrigued by the different levels and maze-like quality in a subway station. Descending into the winding corridors underground evoked a stifling environment that I felt was continuously present in Hamlet.

The space is modeled after the Sandra Gamm theatre, another small local venue. 

My foam core model. A restriction for this set was to include 137 seats, which was a challenge. I looked into wide stair levels, grates, and platforms as potential acting areas and seating. I also included a small area I imagined to be a newstand, which would provide some furniture if necessary,

For Richard III, I went in the direction of docks, piers, and boardwalks, which used linear pathways and connecting ramps/stairs. 

This theater space was modeled after Trinity Reperatory's larger black box theater. My first pass before adding in slate rock-like cliff faces.

Some texture included. 

If I were to return to the drawing board, I would start the level planning entirely with rocks. I experimented breaking apart my set, and thought this direction would be just as intriguing.

 

Theater: Stage Design for 4000 Miles

This Wintersession I had the great opportunity to work very closely with 2nd Story Theatre's technical director. The theatre is a local building with black box layouts both upstairs and downstairs, and I thoroughly enjoyed the space.

Wintersession being where it is, I worked on several plays in various stages (no pun intended) of completion. I found the most amount of design freedom and conceptual exploration through the 4000 Miles set, which is a contemporary play that takes place in a grandmother's apartment.

This is my quick Photoshop rendering I made on top of a Sketch Up model I made in order to draft a color scheme and room textures. Wallpaper became an important element to give a worn, outdated apartment look.

A near-planned view of the 4000 Miles set. I spent some time here to figure out what furniture could be used and gives flexible enough playing space.

A reference photo we used for the cramped, yet quaint and home-y atmosphere.

 

I visited the local stores to scout out for potential wallpapers. This one made it to the director's choice.