Imagining the Scene

Christopher McCollum on Set Design

"...Wolfson From the outside, the home of set designer Christopher McCollum looks like any other in its tony central..."

Nov. 14, 1997 Arts Feature by Adrienne Martini

Kids in Black

That innocuous-seeming crew of people listed beneath the actors in every program, who scurry around in black backstage and hover over the proceedings in the sound and light booth, may not be well-known to most theatregoers, but this silent, hidden army is all-powerful. Techies get almost no share in the glory, but they run the world, and here's how.

"...underwhelming the production. For set (and occasional costume) designer Christopher McCollum, designing is covertly powerful: "It's very manipulative; that's..."

Dec. 15, 2000 Arts Feature by Ada Calhoun

Oliver!

Despite some fine performances, consistently lush and well-executed chorus numbers, and stunning sets and costumes, the Austin Musical Theatre production of Oliver! leaves one wanting more.

"...Christopher McCollum's sets are things of beauty. Utilizing forced perspective..."

May 11, 2001 Arts Review by Barry Pineo

Payne Pleasures 2004

Latest ACoT theatre-award nominations favor two Austin musicals

"...Norton, and the spooky atmospherics provided by set designer Christopher McCollum, lighting designer Richard Winkler, and sound designers the..."

Aug. 20, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Superstar Search

Three decades after its debut, Jesus Christ Superstar may not seem a radical piece of musical theatre, but Austin Musical Theatre's new production just may return the rock opera to its revolutionary roots.

"...the last 2,000 years. To this end, scenic designer Christopher McCollum has ringed the stage space with scaffolding and..."

Nov. 26, 1999 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Exhibitionism

The Soldier Dreams: Misreading Clues Around a Deathbed

"...a production rich in visual spectacle and poignance. In Christopher McCollum's patchwork set, with its receding proscenium frames connected..."

May 14, 1999 Arts Review

The Dish on Desire

In 'American Fiesta,' Austin's favorite economist / playwright / actor has plenty to say about what makes us want

"...the third angle of their creative triangle, scenic designer Christopher McCollum...."

Oct. 7, 2005 Arts Feature by Lowell Bartholomee

Austin Critics Table Nominations, 2003-2004

The full list of nominations for the 2003-2004 Austin Critics Table Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in local theatre, dance, classical music, and visual art

"...Christopher Cox, The Honorable Urashima Taro..."

May 14, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Austin Critics Table Nominations, 2002-2003

The full list of nominations for the 2002-2003 Austin Critics Table Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in local theatre, dance, classical music, and visual art

"...Christopher Hudson Myers, Cabaret..."

May 9, 2003 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

The 2002 Austin Critics Table Awards

On Monday, June 3, the Austin Critics Table handed out its annual awards for outstanding achievements in the Austin arts in a ceremony at the Capitol City Comedy Club.

"...Christopher McCollum, The Chairs/The Consul/La Fanciulla del West/Oliver!/Once in a..."

June 7, 2002 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Cream of the Crop

Nominations for the 2005-2006 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...Christopher McCollum, American Fiesta/Twelfth Night (State Theatre)/Dialogues of the Carmelites..."

May 19, 2006 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

The Crucible

St. Ed's stages a chilling version of Arthur Miller's indictment of McCarthyism

"...this bleak world, with strikingly simple scenic design by Christopher McCollum – sturdy, versatile wood tables and benches that..."

Feb. 24, 2012 Arts Review by Jillian Owens

American Fiesta

The revival of Steven Tomlinson's American Fiesta arrives with such hype, one might think it would have difficulty living up to it; but with this uplifting, transcendent show, one would be wrong

"...latter that seems to have been the inspiration for Christopher McCollum's sublime set, with its large set of half..."

Aug. 11, 2006 Arts Review by Barry Pineo

Twelfth Night

What the State Theatre Company's handsome but curiously reserved production of Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' lacks is that liberating light-headedness of intoxication

"...On the floor of designer Christopher McCollum's elegant set lie several chairs, upturned as if..."

March 3, 2006 Arts Review by Robert Faires

American Fiesta

In 'American Fiesta,' Steven Tomlinson's quest for a set of Fiestaware leads him to embrace his past, imperfections, and those who are different

"...of Fiestaware bowls and arc across the backdrop of Christopher McCollum's compact and cozy set. In time, we come..."

Oct. 21, 2005 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Applause! Applause!

Austin Critics Table nominations, 2004-2005

"...Christopher McCollum, Nightswim/A Ride With Bob/Light: The Holocaust & Humanity..."

May 27, 2005 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Della's Gift and Holy Night

The two lovely new operas 'Della's Gift' and 'Holy Night' offer us intimate examinations of love of Christmastime

"...the past 100 years as the tony furnishings in Christopher McCollum's set attest), but that doesn't leave their union..."

April 29, 2005 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project

Stephen Mills' 'Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project' didn't show us the Holocaust but it made us feel the profound suffering of it

"...was often spare, stark, as were the settings by Christopher McCollum and the lighting by Tony Tucci, but the..."

April 8, 2005 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Nightswim

History and friendship are the fulcrum on which Nightswim balances Steve Moore's impressionistic, profound look at famous friends Roy Bedichek, Frank Dobie, and Walter Webb

"...Company, director Katie Pearl is fortunate in many ways. Christopher McCollum's simple yet dynamic set design evokes the Springs..."

Oct. 22, 2004 Arts Review by Barry Pineo

Payne Pleasures 2004

Sam Bass Theatre's Forever Plaid took top honors at the 30th anniversary B. Iden Payne Awards

"...Christopher McCollum (The Woman in Black)..."

Oct. 8, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Applause! Applause!

The full list of winners for the 2003-2004 Austin Critics Table Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in local theatre, dance, classical music, and visual art

"...Christopher McCollum, The Woman in Black/ La Tentación de San..."

June 11, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Hamlet

Through the vision and skill of choreographer Stephen Mills, Ballet Austin told the story of 'Hamlet' with an urgency and imagination made the prince's pain palpable

"...Passions were expressed in the colors and cuts of Christopher McCollum's costumes. Scenic elements by Mills and Jeffrey Main..."

March 19, 2004 Arts Review by Robert Faires

I'm Not Lying

You think you know who Jaston Williams is, but unless you've seen his autobiographical solo show I'm Not Lying, you don't. Not by a very long shot.

"...work can be, which is a good thing, and Christopher McCollum provides an interesting set consisting of old furniture..."

Feb. 20, 2004 Arts Review by Barry Pineo

The Woman in Black

The power of little things to make spirits real drives The Woman in Black, a terrifically old-fashioned ghost story in the English tradition, and the State Theater Company production employs simple sights and sounds in effective ways that make us believe and be terrified.

"...plunge into utter blackness. The old playhouse crafted by Christopher McCollum is cozy, its ropes, props, and gas lamps..."

Nov. 14, 2003 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Articulations

Owing to budget woes in the College of Fine Arts, the UT PAC Prop Shop is closed for business, and local choreographers and dance companies earn national awards and international gigs.

"...Theatre Center Managing Director Ann Ciccolella, award-winning set designer Christopher McCollum, and Different Stages Artistic Director Norman Blumensaadt, among..."

Aug. 8, 2003 Arts Column by Robert Faires

Applause! Applause!

The full list of winners for the 2002-2003 Austin Critics Table Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in local theatre, dance, classical music, and visual art, as presented during its annual ceremony at the Capitol City Comedy Club.

"...Christopher McCollum, My Fair Lady/Mrs. Warren's Profession/Sweet Charity/Touch..."

June 6, 2003 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Mrs. Warren's Profession

The State Theater Company's scintillating revival of Mrs. Warren's Profession moves George Bernard Shaw's characters beyond the politics for which they serve as mouthpieces and fills them with the breaths and gestures and expressions of people who live.

"...Manners' sumptuous period costumes, Tony Tucci's handsome lighting, and Christopher McCollum's elegant set making a picture almost as pretty..."

March 28, 2003 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Articulations

Long Center supporters do a funding turnaround by asking the city for $25 million in bond money, and Austin Musical Theatre finds new life as Broadway Texas.

"...without the benefit of dramatic buildup or backing from Christopher McCollum's brilliant sets: Annaliese van der Pol and Kevin..."

Feb. 7, 2003 Arts Column by Robert Faires

My Fair Lady

Austin Musical Theatre's production of My Fair Lady serves up the tale of a Cockney flower girl's transformation at the hands of an egotistical phonetics professor with a lavish look and a playful spirit, creating a delightful dance of elegance and frivolity.

"...flair we've come to expect from AMT: The ever-ingenious Christopher McCollum delivers a staggering number of elaborate sets --..."

Oct. 4, 2002 Arts Review by Robert Faires

The Glass Menagerie

If any 20th-century American play deserves to be called "classic," it is Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie but the State Theater Company's puzzling production seems to ignore what is most obvious in the play, only rarely connecting with the story.

"...not the nicest guy on the block. And while Christopher McCollum's set design is a thing of scarred industrial..."

March 29, 2002 Arts Review by Barry Pineo

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