Top 9 Ways to Decorate a Set
Looking back at 2009 through its most memorable scenic designs
By Elizabeth Cobbe, Fri., Jan. 1, 2010
1) ANNE MCMEEKING FOR 'THREE DAYS OF RAIN' (PENFOLD THEATRE COMPANY) There was rain on stage. Like, actual falling water. At the Hideout. The rest of the set – a shabby loft apartment – was pretty cool, too.
2) LISA LARATTA FOR 'BLACK SNOW' (TUTTO THEATRE COMPANY) A little of this, a little of that, a little of freaking everything in a huge heap that complemented the breakneck speed and reckless abandon of the performance.
3) STEPHEN PRUITT FOR 'CYRANO DE BERGERAC' (MARY MOODY NORTHEN THEATRE) Mirrors, mirrors everywhere! Plus, Kim H. Ngo's costumes were to die for.
4) MICHAEL RAIFORD FOR 'THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' (ZACH THEATRE) The cafeteria table alone was enough to take you back to your days of sixth grade lunchroom hell.
5) ROBERT FAIRES AND DIRECTOR CATHERINE WEIDNER FOR 'HENRY V' (RED THEN PRODUCTIONS) Simple is not only effective but brilliant in this minimalist, one-man production by Chronicle Arts Editor Faires.
6) CONNOR HOPKINS FOR 'THE JUNGLE' (TROUBLE PUPPET THEATER COMPANY) Actually, Hopkins designed the set and the puppets, which is sort of scenery and sort of not, but either way the puppets made from paper were pretty cool.
7) JESSE KINGSLEY'S PUPPETS FOR 'THE LONG NOW' (SHREWD PRODUCTIONS) Speaking of puppets, try some shadow puppets, too – for creep-effect.
8) CURTIS PHILLIPS FOR 'THE MUSIC MAN' (ZILKER THEATRE PRODUCTIONS) The transition from monochrome to color, color everywhere practically told the story of the show by itself.
9) ANNE MCMEEKING FOR 'THREE DAYS OF RAIN' (PENFOLD THEATRE COMPANY) Sorry, but did you get that? There was rain in the Hideout! Rain! In the Hideout! Dude.