Peter Pan Set Design

The theater department at Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy (JBMA) was in need of assistance in creating props for their most ambitious set design to date. I offered to design and build three out of the four major sets. Two of the sets needed to be in the same location with minimal time for set changes. Additionally, the stage was small with no room for storage, and budget constraints were a factor. I was excited about the opportunity to bring my vision for the school's Fine Arts team to life and was determined to turn their ideas into reality. Here are the solutions I implemented for each scene.

Flying Contraption
I wasn't allowed to set up zip line wires in the gym for safety and logistical reasons. I saw an ironing board in our laundry room and realized that was the solution. The kids could move their flying contraptions independently, and they would be lightweight. When the curtain opened and the stage was in full view, a sheer curtain had stars projected on it enhancing the illusion the kids were flying. Even though I had seen it rehearsed a few times, when the curtain opened it gave me chills.

Nursery Window and Ship Scene

As mentioned, space was an issue. The nursery and pirate scene had to share the same space. Furthermore, the scenes had to change quickly. I’m a novice at theater stage set design, so I was asking myself “How?”. It dawned on me that the window would be the ship and the ship the window. Finkle is Einhorn, Einhorn is Finkle. (If you get it you get it). This was the birth of the flipping prop. It had to be lightweight, compact and have the ability to add components to the design once flipped. The window scene was complete, but once flipped, the pirate ship had a crow's nest, sails and flag. The frame is 2x2 lumber and the rest is cardboard and fabric. All paint was left over from other projects and I couldn’t be happier with the moonlight hitting that slate roof.

Lost Boys Treehouse

The big one. I recall pitching the idea and drawing my vision on a whiteboard. I found out later there was some major doubt in the room that it would actually come to fruition. Not due to the lack of delivery, but time. I wanted the program to have some props they could reuse. I built a multifunctional platform with a trap door (all theaters need a trap door). The railings were added later and its design purpose is to provide safety, but remain the background letting the actors and other set pieces take the foreground. I wanted the actors on top of the platform to look like they were “in” the tree. If you are going to have a tree, kids (especially lost boys) have to climb it. The trunk has an internal ladder structure and a structure that is the shell. Chicken wire and landscaping fabric were used as the exterior (paper mache was not going to be strong enough). The limb is a separate structure and attaches to the platform. As stated above, it gives the illusion the actors are standing in the tree. The trunk and limb were sprayed in flat brown with white hand painted ascents for depth. Some hidden easter eggs were found at some antique stores to decorate the treehouse. 

Audio Additions

Leading up to the dramatic opening, I wanted the audience to know how long until the production started. I recorded the actors performing in mini audio skits and incorporated them into the 45 min intro background music. Here are 2 examples of the bits I wrote:

Hook: “Mr Smee! The show is starting soon and I don’t have my popcorn.”
Smee: “Captain, you have 15 minutes till....
Hook: “Blast you Smee. You know I dont like time!
Smee: Sorry Captain. I’ll go grab your popcorn and your blankie.”
Hook: “Yes, yes. Grab my blankie ”

Mary: George, dear, do hurry. We mustn’t be late for the play. You know it starts in 25 minutes.
George: Mary, unless I find my cufflinks we don’t go to the play. And if we don’t go to the play I can never show my face at the school again.

Closing

In closing, it took a lot of people to pull off this play for the school. I was only a small piece of the puzzle. I would estimate 120+ hours of my time was dedicated to this and I'll do it again in the fall for the next production. Seeing the joy on these kids' faces made every minute worth it.