Getting Upset - Designs for My Play!

 

As I said in my previous post, I am writing a full length play entitled "The Single-Multi-Story Extravapalooza - Dis-Knee Edition." In that post, I briefly touched on the designs I have come up with, including the set and costumes, but I felt it would be fun to delve deeper into them!

The Set

In this play, my thoughts and ideas for the set came in waves. I designed the main structure using PowerPoint because its functionality greatly outweighs that of other presentation design software. The basic structure is a two story "background" section and a middle area that sits further downstage than the rest.

The Upstage Section

So this area is just two of the same set on either side. There are two steps leading up to a lower platform, which is where some scenes, entrances, exits, etc. take place. To cover the back of the stage so people can walk freely, black curtains hang behind the platform, blocking actors from view. A second story is held up by poles of some sort. The platform continues across the set. Apparently some wooden beams are enough to hold tap dancers (thanks, Anything Goes!) so I guess those would work here, too. Offstage on either side would be stairs that lead up to the top platforms and, for some parts, fancier stairs would be rolled onstage, as well. 

The Center Section

Smack dab in the center of the stage is the main focal point of this set. Raised by a short platform sits two chairs. Here is where the narrators would sit for most of the show. I was trying to go for a talk show feel here. The two narrators bicker quite a bit throughout the show and talk to each other and the audience a great amount, so it's vital that they can address everyone. Behind them is a wall that is meant to look like the inside of a DVD. Considering this show is entirely about the Disney movies, it seemed fitting. Above the chairs is a lopsided pennant rope thingy, for some added pizzazz. 

Each platform is made to look like the side of a DVD or VHS tape. Using the titles I came up with for each story, I designed these to match the real-life counterparts, just for a touch of realism.

The Downstage Section

Downstage is where most of the action takes place. To differentiate between settings, I'm using roll-on scenery (basically just small little walls). These roll-on backdrops are useful for when scenes switch quickly within the stories, as you can simply push them on to opposite sides of the stage. You can put some furniture in front of these walls and play out an entire scene with a 576 square foot piece of wood.

And there you go! Thanks for taking a look into the ideas I've come up with so far for this set! I would definitely say that this design has sort of affected the way I write my play, because I can really see what the actors would be doing with this massive set. Thanks for reading!