CROWNS: Set Department.

All Set design has been created by Mariah Bouillaut.

The set of a show is developed by the set designer of a show, it involves input from the artistic director as well as the director. Depending on the show, director, and theme of the show; the set may be extravagant or simple. This decision is ultimately up to the director. The set designer will pitch his or her ideas to the director and the director will consider these ideas and thereafter give feedback. The set is a technical element that enhances the show and gives the actors and actresses something to work and act with, as well as become inspired by.

Inspired by the theme and the title of the play, CROWNS set design is derived from the form of a crown. Original ideas included tree limbs, branches, wooden poles to create a ‘crown of thorns’, but through collaboration with lighting and sound departments oil drums were incorporated. The ‘crown of thorns’ was scrapped (as the stage would be too cluttered) to produce the final, clean design. The set design is symmetrical and mirrors the shape of a crown. The colour theme is dull white and light grey to conceive a timeless, limbo-like setting as well as work with the style of the actors’ makeup (white body paint). My aim was to make a barren, dystopian landscape to compliment the hopelessness in the storyline. Five oil drums hold speakers and lights. Actors can play with these drums by sitting on, leaning against and hitting them. Three white AV flats are hung above the middle three oil drums and are staggered. The placement of both elements add to the design mimicking the shape of a crown. A white/grey circle of sand is the stage floor and actors walk on this barefoot. The sand is symbolically brushed aside to reveal the black floor underneath, representing a black pool of blood. Sand can be used as a weapon when thrown, shapes can be built, and pictures can be drawn in it.