Northwestern University
Director: Ismael Lara Jr.
Lighting Design: Avi Sheehan
Costume Design: Gin Ko
Sound Design: Forrest Gregor
The set design of this whimsical world where friendship paints the canvas of existence, we aim to create an immersive and enchanting environment that celebrates the power of imagination and the boundless possibilities of dreams.
At the heart of the design is the concept of a blank canvas world, where the very fabric of reality is waiting to be shaped by the strokes of friendship and creativity. The stage is transformed through a series of portals, each a canvas beckoning to be filled with the vibrant hues of life. These portals serve as gateways to endless adventures, inviting characters and audience alike to journey into the realms of fantasy and wonder.
As the characters explore this magical world, the scenery comes alive before their eyes, animated by the energy of friendship and camaraderie. Objects float and dance, landscapes shift and transform, and the sky above teems with the playful exuberance of a toy theatre come to life. The stage itself becomes a playground of possibility, where dreamers can live out their wildest fantasies and embrace the joy of discovery.
Central to the design is the notion of a sky that serves as both backdrop and canvas, a vast expanse of limitless potential stretching outwards in every direction. In embracing the toy theatre aesthetic, we pay homage to the timeless art form of puppetry and miniature worlds, inviting audiences of all ages to suspend their disbelief and lose themselves in the enchanting spectacle unfolding before them.
In our design for this blank canvas world where friendship paints the world, we seek to ignite the spark of wonder within each and every viewer, reminding them of the transformative power of imagination and the beauty of seeing the world through the eyes of a dreamer.