The Chinese Lady
Design Statement: Afong Moy’s Carriage display will be an isolated environment in the middle of the stage. The orientation of the decor and wall details will be theatrically placed to show this is a curated environment, not one that is real or authentic. Afong will be cramped within with all of the furniture and props on display for purchase in contrast to the literal carriage which is in the great abyss of the of the rest of the stage. The exception to the abyss around the carriage is perhaps a large projection screen behind the box to project misty videos and images of the things she discusses and dreams of that go beyond her world in the box. These misty projections can artistically fizzle back towards her box restoring the back void around the box to represent her dreams and imagination of the world outside that is not tangible to her. At the end of the play during her final soliloquy, the carriage slowly pulls apart into pieces and recedes as she leaves the box for the first time for a dramatic but beautiful representation of her doll persona stepping away from the packaging she’s been forced into.
Argonautica
Design Statement: The play is a grand Greek heroine adventure–but it is funny and self aware. The set is grand with multiple prosceniums to aid in creating layers for new scenery to move on and off. The aesthetic is very 2D–like large, colorful illustrations which in turn will make the puppets’ 3D nature even more impressive and able to stick out from the world. The Goddesses & women are the main propeller of the men’s success and who are eventually betrayed by the men. The colors will lean into saturated feminine colors. The goddesses will be situated on a higher/isolated layer to be above the men. The higher layer will also be able to communicate they are on a different realm of existence that interferes with reality. The center platform can tilt to make the floor “move” and is also where the boat tracks on and off into the center to bring it life as well as add a comedic element to the movements played upon it.
