Clouds Shaped Like Pianos

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.