A Little Night Music

CMU School of Drama, Phillip Chosky Theatre 2024

Costume Designer

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Director- Ethan Heard

Scenic Design- Paul Molina

Lighting Design- Jessica Winward

Sound Design- Peter Burns

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This sumptuous and rich musical has been such a dream to work on, and my biggest challenge yet. Whenever I approach a new production one of the first things I think about is what changes over time. What is the transformation from beginning to end? For me the color palette of Night Music can be used as a visual metaphor. I see the entire play as one big day. We start the “Night Waltz” in smoky silvers where we don't completely know who dances with who. The mist of dawn with its mystery pervades the scene.  Act 1 is the morning, with gentle muted colors as the audience is gradually introduced to the characters. By the time we arrive to the end of Act 1, “A Weekend in the Country” is at the hottest part of the afternoon with bright creams and neutrals. Act 2 is when the real fun begins as everyone comes to the country with their own plot points. We see the same light palette, but with underlayers of saturated colors and pops of color in an ascot or ribbon. Once we find ourselves at dinner the full saturation of color emerges as the sun sets.