UW Whitewater Theatre/Dance Department

Further work on Dracula for today’s production meeting. The study end is largely done, except for furniture and details like books and knickknacks. I’ve been work in earnest on the bed/crypt end; this picture shows a rough idea of the bed set up. The bedspread will be whisked away to reveal the sarcophagus, and the shelves on either side will rotate to reveal statuary. At this point, of course, I begin to worry if we have the time and the money for all this. . .

More “Dracula,” this time from the side. I’ve begun hanging the floating arches and working up the sarcophagus/bed end, which serves as both Mina’s bedroom and the crypt wherein the Count is discovered at the end of the play. The image is largely black and white, because we have decided to go with a black and white/greyscale look that recalls the old Universal films, though with the added touch that selected elements in each scene (props and costumes, mainly) will be scarlet.

Still working up the model ofr “Dracula” for the Fall. Here is the study end of things, with a fair amount of texture and detail. Still haven’t decided what goes into the arches. Now I need to deal with the bed/crypt end of the set. . .

The revised groundplan for “Dracula.”

And the groundplan as starting to be worked up in Sketchup.

The groundplan for “Dracula” is done.

Rethinking Dracula after the first sketch; I feel like I went too far with the neo-Gothic roofline. After seeing this quick work-up, Angela reminded me that there is a reference to bars in the script — they only go up on one window after one of Renfield’s escapes. So even though I enjoy their look, they’re a step too far. I do intend to insert tracery into the Gothic arches again, though I am considering a mix of tracery and more utilitarian round-topped windows inserted into the arches. . . The furniture depicted are placeholder pieces downloaded from Sketchup’s warehouse, though they have the dimension and general shape of what I expect to ultimately use.

And the drafting table, as I work up the groundplan.

Working up a sketch for the Fall’s production of “Dracula.” We’re doing this in a stadium configuration, with the study on one end and a space that doubles for Mina’s room and the crypt on the other.

The finalized groundplan is due in two weeks. On today’s agenda, first tech for “Our Town.”

As minimal as our production of Our Town will be, the shops are very quiet. We have, however, built some step boxes and the two trellises (and I’ve dug out all of our decent chairs and we’ve purchased two tables and two wooden ladders). Above are the trellises with their paint treatment.

The set up for the first act of “Our Town.” Again, we have chosen to not go beyond what Wilder asks for, though as you may note, I have decided against a cyc (even though some cyc effects are noted in the script, the photos of the original production show a bare back wall. I like the idea of the back wall ensuring that we don’t suggest we’ve left the theatre). The Foley table off house left will be joined by the organ (when I get dimensions and a picture I will probably add that to the image).

Adding the ladders.

The set up for the church in Act Two.

And Act Three’s graveyard. We will be closing the main act as noted at the end of the act, opening back up on a stage empty except for the ghost light.

Today is the first rehearsal of “Our Town,” with designer presentations. Here’s the Sketchup rendering of the first act placement of furniture, etc. I will be closing the main act a couple of feet to help frame the space a little more cleanly. . .