South Side Stories for City Theatre

These are some pictures from the world premiere of a play called "South Side Stories" for City Theatre.    Tami Dixon created this piece from interviews with people who lived, worked, spent time on the south side of Pittsburgh.  It was directed by Matt Morrow.  There were original illustrations from David Pohl that were used as a transitionary method from monologue to monologue.  It was a lot of fun to work on a play that was built from and about my city.  "I love pittsburgo" in the words of a character from the play.

The Producers for the conservatory company at PPU

The Producers is a really great show.  It is so much fun to work on but this show is a beast and demands so much in terms of lights, sound, costume, let alone, set.  I have designed this once before and it was a joy.  Lauren Kadel Seals restaged the original choreography and Tome' Cousin directed this production.  The students worked really hard and did a great job.  Enjoy some of these pictures.

August: Osage County for THE REP at Point Park

Here are a few shots from "August: Osage County".  The play is a tour de force for actors.  It was fun to do.  The set, aka a 3 story house, is dominant.  We had to take a few liberties with that idea because we could not fit a 3 story house on the Rauh Stage.  The production was a huge hit critically and publicly.  John Shepard directed and Steffi Mayer-Staley was the set designer.  I would do this play again in a heartbeat.  I just would never do this play for an extended run, Whew!

The Benedum's 25th Birthday Party

These are a few shots from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust honoring the Benedum Center's 25th Birthday.  Nancy Brynes was the event producer.  I acted as the Lighting Designer and somewhat the Set Designer.  Nancy had an inspiration drawing which she and I interpreted using a product called "Transfomits".  David Kinkade was my assoc. on the show and was very helpful.  The party was fun and Megan Hilty gave a wonderful performance!

The National High School Musical Theater Awards 2012

This is year 4 for this event.  We were again in the Minskoff Theater and I was greatly supported by Jeanne Koenig and Megan Caplan.  This year there was a bit of a twist.  PBS was filming a documentary and so to add another element to the day I also had advisement from Alan Adelman about adjusting for camera.  The crowd really supports the students and it is very exciting night for all.  We tech/dress/open all in one day.  The day is action packed and there is little time for discussion.  

"A Chorus Line" for CLO 2012

Here are some shots from the recent production of "A Chorus Line" produced by Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.  The director was Baayork Lee.  I had worked with her previously on a totally different project.  It was exciting to work with her and an original from this show.  A number of years ago i saw a touring company of this show right in this very theater. In some ways, it was a little bit of a full circle to design this musical.  This was not the first time i had worked on "the line" but it is always a pleasure coming back to "the line".

"Bolero" for Pittsburgh Symphony 2012

I was approached by the Pittsburgh Symphony in August of 2011.  They told me about a festival that was going to be happening in the spring of 2012 and they wanted to add the "element" of light to one of the concerts.  The piece that was picked was Ravel's "Bolero" and was I interested in this idea.  YES.  I was very excited and interested.  I was given approximately 2 weeks to come up with ideas.  I had 3 budget levels in mind knowing that the "rolls royce" was going to cost too much and the "ford pinto" would be boring.  I did a lot of research on Ravel and this piece and that got me going.  So i went back for a meeting and set out my ideas.  The gig was a GO.  Over the course of the year some refining happened and at the end of April we went into production.  I had 10 solo "chair" specials for the 1st 10 movements.  I had washes of varying shades and directions but primarily red.  There were 5 "viole" panels in the back that were individually rigged to fly in on my call during the piece.  Here is the end result.  A couple of the shots i played with in "photo-shop".  One picture was taken after the concert on a "bare" stage.

"Pop!" with Anthony Rapp for City Theatre 2012

This was a relatively new musical written about Andy Warhol and his shooting in 1968.  The story really focuses on how did the shooting effect Andy Warhol.  As in any new musical there is much to go over.  Many designs were introduced and thrown out with the bathwater.  Revisions upon revisions.  Finally we had a design and the rehearsal process started.  The writers were in rehearsals the entire time right up to press opening.  The tech process was long and arduous but in the end we had a very fine product.  Audiences and critics enjoyed this production.  Like most new pieces this needs a little work but when/where that happens i am not sure.

"In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play" for PICT 2012

I was going to be working with Alan Stanford, Gianni Downs,  and Pei-Chi Su who i really enjoy working with.  There is an ease and trust when you work with colleagues that you "gel"  well with.  This was a very strong overall production with some fine acting, directing, and design.  The play takes place at the turn of the 20th century and electricity has just come into being.  We had quite a few practicals of varying styles throughout the setting.  There are 3 locations and the last location was a bit of surprise and quite exciting for the audience.  Even though subject matter is delicate the playwright has written a beautiful piece and there is nothing shameful or x-rated about the story.

"Tigers Be Still" for City Theatre 2012

This is a funny dark take on depression.  There are 23 different scenes and some are quite quick.  Overall you have 8 different locales.  Most of this was accomplished with minimal props and lighting changes.  The idea of light as a metaphor was very important to the director Matt Morrow.  The set has an outline of light and this even goes around the windows and doors.  For 2 locales the idea of a "Lite-Brite Box" was employed and we had over 700 points of fiber optic "stars".  While being a comedy the overall level of light got brighter as the characters in the play came out of their depression.  The metaphor of light seeping into their homes/lives was helping to "heal" them.  It is a funny piece.