Information on Designs

Because the One Acts are produced, designed, and directed by students, we need to make sure that everyone has a good time and does not get "stretched" beyond his or her capabilities. We have found that without limits on technical aspects, the focus is shifted from making a coherent production with a clear message to having pretty furniture and costumes on stage. We have compiled a set of limits with the faculty that will be observed for the One Acts:

• The set will be comprised of black boxes of varying shapes and sizes which can be arranged to form any piece of furniture to a good approximation. We even have sink-black-boxes. Mike Katz, the technical director for Theater Arts, will provide a complete list of available black boxes. It is up to the director and the designers to arrange them to create the desired atmosphere!
• The props will be limited to a reasonable number (no more than 10 or so) per show at the discretion of the producers and the props master. They can and should be used to enhance the black-box set. For example, a table made of black boxes can be convred with a table cloth; a desk could have a phone and books placed on it, etc.
• A standard light plot will be drawn up by or with the help of Karen Perlow, the lighting designer for Theater Arts. Additional "specials" shall be filled in by the student lighting designer at his or her own discretion. Do not be fooled - this definitely leaves room for creativity on the part of the lighting designer and prevents the directors from demanding unreasonable lighting effects.
• A list of available costumes shall be provided by Leslie Held, the costume designer for Theater Arts. The costume designer will be left free to choose among these costumes. In addition, the costume designer can use clothes belonging to the specific actors, however NO full costume changes are allowed in the production. This is to prevent the costume numbers from growing exponentially.
• Sound design is unrestricted.