DESIGN A PLAY FROM A DIRECTOR/PRODUCER PERSPECTIVE

Choose a SPACE – a Theatre – Thrust, Proscenium, Arena, Black Box (but must tell what arrangement of audience and playing space.

Design:

THE THEATRE SPACE – The entire area where the theatrical event will take place

AUDIENCE SPACE – How many seats, how arranged in relation to performer space(s). Is audience stationary or moving, or both? Are they standing, sitting, lying down, or some or all?

PERFORMANCE SPACE – Define & describe it. Make a groundplan. Where does it begin and end in relation to the audience?

SET DESIGN – How are furniture pieces arranged on stage? What space is there for performers to move in?

PERFORMERS – What are the performers performing? How do they use the space? Do they stay exclusively in performance space or move into and/or through audience space?

COSTUME/CLOTHING DESIGN: How are performers dressed? How many costume changes for each? Be detailed: fabric texture, color, thickness, etc. Why those choices?

LIGHTING: Describe in as much detail as possible the light source(s), direction(s) (top-down, underneath, side, full front, etc.) color, intensity (bright, dark, in-between), focus (broad, narrow, in-between). If sunlight, what time of day? Direct sun, shade, blend of both?

How in-depth should you go in your production design proposal? Imagine you are 1) presenting your idea to backers who will fund your production. If they will be spending the money you are requesting to realize your show, they will want to know everything in advance. They cannot read your mind or imagine beyond what you show on paper – images and texts. Imagine 2) you are presenting your concept to your costume, set, lighting, and sound designers. Use your proposal to communicate concretely with images and text.

Criteria for Evaluation

Creativity – Innovative concept. Variation on Research.

Complexity – extent of unity in diversity

Depth – Extent of Research

Scope – range of work

Organization – Presentation in a manner easily navigated

Richness – Detailed written descriptions. Sharp images well explained.

Transparency – Report on what sources inspired you (citations), why you made the choices you made, the nature of your creative process.

Format : MS Word or Adobe PDF document (if original project is created in Powerpoint, then convert to Adobe PDF). Combine all your written description and images into one organized document.