The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
October 2008
Co-Set Designer, and Lighting Designer/Light Crew Head
The set design for this show was comparatively simple, however it still presented some challenges such as:
- Having three trick bookcases without repeating any movements
- Placing the bookcases and other entrances that are required in such a way that would be physically possible
- Striking the balance between comedy and murder mystery
- Keeping the design within the style of the 1940's
These challenges were met with our final design as outlined below:
After discussing and building scale models of many different ideas for the trick book cases including bookcases that revolved, folded up into the set, hinged like a door, slid backwards, slid forwards, slid upwards, became a staircase (my personal favorite), and many others we decided on three that would be the most reliable and provide for an interesting show. These three were a revolve, hinging like a door, and sliding backwards into the set.
Once we determined what we wanted for the design, it was still challenging (for some bookcases) to make the design a reality. The biggest challenge was the revolving bookcase because we couldn't drill into our stage floor to secure the boom at the bottom. We solved this by using 200 lbs. of stage weight to secure it in place and two technitations running the bookcase during the show to ensure that the boom would not move and the bookcase not get stuck.
Lighting Design/Light Crew Head
