Set of The Furniture of Home Pt. 1

Ask any actor and they'll tell you that any set they work on really affects how they connect with the character who belongs to that created world. The environment changes how a person interacts with other actors and even changes how they perceive their own character.

So, how then, do you interact with the home that you've grown old (or grown up) in when all that's left is the floor and one wall?

If you saw any of the photos or news coverage from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina then you'll understand the challenge of bringing this devastation to our Octagon Theatre and make it so the actors could still connect with the set. The house and trinkets that would have made it a home are all missing from this set, the only things left being a washed up large blue chair and refrigerator. This added challenge for the actors could be a challenge or opportunity but it definitly made for an interesting time down in the scene shop.

I've been paying regular visits to the scene and prop shops to find out how they've brought the Bayou to the stage and here's a photo tour of the past few weeks.

Here's the set designer's painted version of the set design. Used as information, copies are always kept on the board so that the artists can check their work.

Always building walls! I believe this will form the longer wall with the doorway.

This is view from the end of the 100's section of seats.

It's all slowly coming together.

The dreaded red "X" to mark your house for demolition.

Now that the set for Bear Country is out of the theatre there's room for the new set.

The next installment will follow the finishing touches and set decorating. Keep a look out for the entry on the two chairs being built for the show, the blue arm-chair and a special steel version of a folding chair!