For the 2nd and 3rd trimester of 2019-2020, the Creator's Studio elective is working in tandem with Musical Tech, the team that helps to produce the Spring Musical at WNS. Musical Tech covers everything from lighting and backdrops, to musical scores. The team is also responsible for stage props and set designs.
It has long been an interest of mine to work more closely with the theater department. Not because I have an interest in theater, but rather it seems a suitable collaboration for developing set pieces, props and the like. Making and Set Design have much in common; elements of art and design, problem solving and Design Thinking, woodworking and lighting effects. There is also the essential element of student choice and voice when it comes to the design and construction of the set pieces and props.
We started off the term getting to know the musical. This year's production is Mary Poppins. We watched other schools' plays, observed how they approached different scenes and props, took notes and discussed our plans for implementation.
My team members have paired up to take on the various show pieces, a storefront, a fireplace, chimney stacks, portable desks and a special effects table on top of which Mary Poppins pulls out all of her oversized items from the bag.
This week we are building 1:12 scale models of each piece in order to get an understanding of how everything fits together. Here is the 1:12 scale stage.
