Wait Until Dark Set
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4363
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 4:26pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Wait Until Dark Set
Posted By: bdactor
Subject: Wait Until Dark Set
Date Posted: 12/07/09 at 5:45pm
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Howdy all! I am directing Wait Until Dark for our local community theatre. All the sets that I have seen have the blinds on stage left, the landing to the hall upstage and the bedroom door on stage right. I think that the set was designed this way for strong sr to sl crosses to the kitchen area. Unfortunately, with the way our stage is laid out in the former baptist church we own, the design would work out better being exactly opposite. That is to say, the blinds/street would be on stage right, and the bedroom door on stage left. I wanted to start a discussion of pros and cons to this reversed set design. Anyone have any thoughts? |
Replies:
Posted By: edh915
Date Posted: 12/08/09 at 1:55pm
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I can't see any reason why you shouldn't reverse things. Unless you're dealing with a George Bernard Shaw play, most sets as described in the scripts didn't come from the playwright's pen anyway. They're nothing more than a reflection of the original staging of the show. That goes for the blocking that comes with the script, too. (In that regard, punctuation is more important than suggested blocking - it came from the playwright.) I think it is advisable that you keep the refrigerator upstage of the sink and blinds - that's the most important placement to my mind. Everything else should be pretty darn flexible. |
Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 12/08/09 at 11:44pm
I'm kind of wondering if that 'traditional' set layout is that way because of the 1967 movie. In any event, as a set designer/builder, I'm often 'mixing things up' if for no other reason than to give it a fresh look and a way to express MY creativity (and maybe to confuse the occasional dim-witted actor who HAS to say, "But the stage directions say to exit stage RIGHT!"). It all has to work with the story being presented, of course, but nothing says it HAS to be one certain way. Actors aren't the only ones who can be creative in a show, so go for it. Make it work for YOUR venue.  ------------- Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional. |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 12/15/09 at 1:19pm
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I know this is an old thread, but how did it go?
We did WUD with the opposite set, I don't know the exact reasons why, but I think it might have had to be done because of backstage space. If you have to adapt a show's set to your space then so be it. ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |