Selected Shows
Moana Jr.
As the first show to use the theatre’s newly updated rear-projection setup, the Moana Jr. production team wanted to use abstract projection design to bring vibrant color to a stage with minimal permanent scenery for large groups of kids to be able to use for dance. Moana’s canoe was designed and built with a collapsible sail. The stage’s hard borders were decorated with large pieces based on Pacific island cultures’ traditional navigational stick charts.
Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!
Pigeon’s bus was designed to to safely and easily rotate a full 360 degrees onstage, with a sliding side door and rear maintenance flap. The show required a sturdy, dance-safe bench matching the colorful abstract design style of the scenery and projected backgrounds.
Across The Sand: A Passover Theatrical Experience and The Tale Of The Whale
These two shows were interactive and immersive theatrical experiences for children aged 3-7 and their older family members, both written and directed by former TYA/USA executive director Jonathan Shmidt Chapman. For Across The Sand, I designed printed, 8 foot long “tablescape” graphics that allowed for performers to show a tabletop trip down the Nile River and for audience participants to help Pharaoh construct building-block “cities” on an Egyptian “blueprint.” The Tale Of The Whale involved allowing audience members to help build a ship that sailed off to tell an interactive version of Jonah and the whale.
Sister Act Jr., Putnam, and Around The World In 80 Days
This single set had to transform from a run-down San Francisco church to a bright middle-school gymnasium to a 19th century London manor house for three shows over the course of two months. Sister Act’s stained glass windows were hand-painted starched muslin. 80 Days’ manor house had curtains, railings, and other elements that could be pulled apart by the performers to create kindling, rushing water, snowdrifts, and more.
Newsies Jr.
The Northbrook Theatre wanted to use the basic layout of a previous scenic design with a fresh facelift for a newer production of Newsies Jr. The stage right building face was completely redesigned from scratch based on research into the original New York City Pulitzer Building. New, original projection designs were also created for various moments of the show as well.
Based on the original scenic design by Rachel Rauscher (rauscherdesigns.com)
