Of Steel & Plywood

During the early part of our 2011-2012 season, People's Light & Theatre put on a critically acclaimed production of "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck.  Here is a link to some photos from the scene shop's build of the masterful set designed by Wilson Chin.

OF MICE & MEN production photos!

Look forward to production photos from "A Wrinkle in Time."  Coming soon!

Prelims & Blueprints

Building a set from scratch is far from easy - and we're not just talking about the physical construction of a deck and walls.  The director meets with the set designer months in advance (sometimes more!) to determine what the audience will see in the finished production.  The set is an integral part of the communication between the work and the audience.  Far from being just the playing space in which the actors perform, the set is also the doorway into the emotions that the story wishes to convey.  It is usually the first thing that an audience member sees when they take their seat in the theater, as well as the backdrop for the ensuing action.  The subtlety behind color choices, perspective and focus can make or break the audience's ability to suspend disbelief - to let go of the knowledge that they are watching a performance and truly become engulfed in the story.  Should the set be realistic?  Abstract?  Modern?  Timeless?  All these decisions get made before pencil ever touches paper.  When the design is completed and the director gives final approval, the set designer delivers a blueprint to the theater's Technical Director (our seasoned veteran, Joe Franz) and the scene shop begins the push to create the world in which all the magic happens!

Currently, the scene shop is constructing the ambitious set for A Wrinkle in Time!  More to come...