FABRICATION &
STAGE DESIGN

Anything and Everything is fair game

When it comes to fabricating a project or item, the design cycle is my go to process. Research what other people have done, draft up ideas and make some tests - experiment with materials, adhesives, paints - what works, what doesn't. Spend time evaluating the best combination - then adjust and often times go back to the research stage.

My process will have sketches and plans in drawings - small models- sample tests - and then full tilt into the project. Sometimes quality will be required - sometimes quantity. The decisions made will be related to what is required for the show that makes the best sense of time, money and effort.

DESIGN PROCESS

Most of my thinking is in visual format. I have sketchbooks of designs and ideas - some that never come to fruition. However here are some images of the ideas and drawings that make the fabrication or set design process come alive.

Sketches and Models

RELUCTANT DRAGON

For this musical I had to create two large dragons that would be actively used on stage. One dragon would be seated in a cave and need to be able to do a variety of things - and would be animated by 4 students. The other dragon would be worn by an adult as they had to dance, speak poetry and participate in the scene with students.

The materials I used for this were primarily foam, material/fur, plastic pipes, hula hoops, Emf foam, wood structures and animatronics for the eyes - and hand painted plastic light bulb globes for the eyes and eyelids.

I had some help making the gimble for the neck as well as the animatronics and RC control for the eyes.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

4 Audrey Plants

Little Shop of Horrors is always a challenge as you have to have Audrey in different stages of growth.
Audrey 1 is a small potted plant that has to grow when first given blood. It sits on the table and is a simple hand puppet.
Audrey 2 is a larger hand puppet that is carried by the actor and manipulated by the actor themselves. There must be a fake arm on the puppet to help convince the audience that it is alive.
Audrey 3 is a costumed suit with a performer inside of the suit articulating the two sides of the mouth, tongue and also their legs as the roots and leaves.
Audrey 4 is the largest plant, and should take up a large section of the stage with roots and and tendrils reaching out. Audrey 4 must be able to consume people and feel intimidating.
For this performance my husband and I built Audrey 4 that was close to the size of a Queen size bed that could move quite freely - open and swallow people and had smooth movements for the mouth.