Building a Show

by Isabel Randazzo (Set Designer, Technical Director, Assistant to the Lighting Designer, Run Crew)

Once a semester it’s some poor sap’s job to design and build a show. Commanding a group of peers that may or may not be about to chop their own fingers off, keeping everything within the director’s “vision,” and internally screaming while you watch the actors touch the set pieces that have become your babies are all part of the job. This semester it was my job. 

I have learned a lot in the past few weeks. I have learned how to use the ridiculously frustrating drafting software from hell known as SketchUp to create the scenery in 3D space. I have learned how to hang a curtain in the wrong place several times before hanging it in the right place. I have also learned that glitter is the devil’s craft supply. 

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All in all we accomplished quite a lot with this show: 
Total set pieces: 16
Total deltas: 1
Total nus: 1
Total Delta Nus: 10 (actors)
Total gallons of paint: 13
Total gallons of paint on my clothes: about 2
Total pieces of glitter found after the fact: too goddamn many
Total number of fingers lost: 0
Total number of times I’ve been ask to change something: ∞

Honestly this was the first show I have ever completely designed on my own. I am so proud of my team who made this process go so smoothly. They have made a huge effort to come play with power tools despite exams, social events, and sleep. I hope everyone has copious high-fives for the team that has helped to bring this show to life. 

R-R-R-ROLL CALL: Monika Borkovic, John Del Toro, Larry Langan, Megan Schaub, Vanessa Quinlivan-Repasi - thanks for all your hard work, we have made ​a beautiful show!