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Clouds Shaped Like Pianos 

Playwright: Anne Kolaczkowski-Magee

Director: Layla Eygabroad
Scenic Designer: Ciera Keller

Photography: Hoemann-Perrone Photography

Clouds Shaped Like Pianos is a piece of the Theatre Studies New Works Project from Illinois Theatre. I was the scenic designer for one of those plays, Clouds Shaped Like Pianos. It is written by Anne Kolaczkowski-Magee and directed by Layla Eygabroad. I worked beside both the director and playwright to help develop a staged production of this piece.

Design Statement

Clouds Shaped Like Pianos is a look into the mind of Anton Chekhov and his playwrighting. In this play, he creates his work while conversating with his characters that are in his play. A big part of Clouds Shaped Like Pianos is the process of writing and the development inside a writer’s mind. This is an idea I wanted to focus on and highlight in my set design. To achieve this, I used long script pages to surround the stage as well as scattering pages on the floor to shape the acting area. The farthest left desk and chair sits Chekhov and is where he resides for most of the play. The angle of the desk is an important element of design. Chekhov facing the acting space instead of the audience shows that he is not only writing but also watching this play. This displays that Chekhov is the audience of his own writing and that he is not writing this play just for a general audience. Anton Chekhov’s inspiration for the writing of his play is related to the painting present in this design. Because of this, I wanted the painting to be the main focus during this play. To achieve this, I made the painting piece center stage as well as the biggest element of the design. The Theatre Studies New Works Project is a very collaborative and process-based project. Clouds Shaped Like Pianos as well as The Algorithm highlights new playwrights and their stories. Working with Anne Kolaczkowski-Magee (Playwright) and Layla Eygabroad (Director) has helped me further research abstract design and how it can support a story.

Rough Ideas

I presented four similar, but still different design ideas following a meeting with the director. 

Prelim

After presenting my design ideas, I went and completed a final rough draft for the design team. This showcases a projected painting on the back wall with four long script pages hung from the grid to give entranceways to actors. 

There are eight stationary chairs for the actors as well as a desk and chair for Chekhov, the playwright in the play. 

Final Rendering

After confirming the design, I went and created a final rendering with Procreate and Photoshop. 

Final Model

I created my first to scale model with this show. I utilized print outs along with handmade furniture. 

Final Show Photos

With actors

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