See Rules for UIL Theatrical Design.

My primary focus in this design was the set, having done the renderings and the ground plans. The Costume, Marketing, and Hair & Makeup designs are included to highlight how the design was cohesive in all aspects. Below is my "justification paper" as required by the contest.

“If you can do it, so can she. If she can do it, so can we.” To live is to try despite the inevitability of failure. In Hadestown, Orpheus, driven by conviction and courage, ignites a revolution that reshapes the destiny of many. Despite his failure, Orpheus serves as an inspiration and reminder to fight for what you believe in, even if the odds aren’t in your favor. By juxtaposing the art styles of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, the scenic design creates a visual representation of the battle between the oppressed and their oppressors. 

The primary inspiration behind the look for the overworld was the Art Nouveau movement style. Art Nouveau was a product of the arts and crafts movement, which sought to rebel against the status quo. Art Nouveau is characterized by having fluid, organic lines that flow to create the piece and represents nature. With that in mind the overworld flourishes with the elements of art and nature combined in the decorum to showcase the beauty of spring. The benches, arches, and platforms serve to highlight the train station motif of the show. The band will be located on both of the upstage corner platforms as well. These platforms are faced with plexiglass windows that allow for a multitude of lighting effects to happen throughout the show. Two curved staircases are present on either side to create the illusion of openness, add more structure to the location, and provide transitional elements to the underworld. The hung circular structure in the above world is the most heavily Art Nouveau inspired element of the design and represents the sky in the above world, but symbolically it is a portrayal of the cyclical nature of the story and how it is overtly present and controlling. In complete contrast to the overworld, Hadestown was primarily inspired by Art Deco. Art Deco is the successor to Art Nouveau and crushed its popularity until it faded into obscurity. Art Deco is also a representation of the industry that became prevalent in the Gilded Age. It is characterized by precise and boldly delineated geometric shapes. Hadestown is meant to feel cluttered and claustrophobic. “The electric city” is meant to feel angular and intimidating, which juxtaposes the fluid and more inviting nature of the overworld. The center platforms which have now risen up become a place for Hades to speak to his workers, above all to highlight his status. The stairs become the physical representation of “the wall.” The workers will be adding various blocks, pipes, and bars to the stairs as stage business. The completed staircase will resemble a cage with jagged lines and shapes, conveying the feeling of being trapped. But, when Orpheus inspires them to fight back they slowly begin expanding the “crack in the wall” by taking it apart until it is gone for Wait For Me (Reprise). Lastly, the sky in Hadestown does not exist to both convey the feeling of hopelessness and literally being underground. The centerpiece of the overworld’s beauty is covered by the industrial mountain range of skyscrapers and buildings all heavily inspired by Art Deco. The most magical part of this show is the journey to and from Hadestown. During Wait For Me the power of Orpheus’ song transforms the world around him as seen in the moment the fates question him. This is then seen again in Wait For Me (Reprise) as the workers begin deconstructing various elements of the underworld. In the transition from the overworld to Hadestown, first the stairs will  move into their new locations, while the workers remove the Art Nouveau decals from the staircases.  Then the workers then push forward and pull up the center platforms that have been lying on the floor. This look should mirror that of a theatre company’s load in day, having the entire company working together in solidarity to put up these giant set pieces. Lastly the hanging golden circles above the stage will be flown out and covered by a foam cityscape on a traveler to complete the look for Act 2. In the same way that the Art Nouveau art style rose to revolt against social norms, Orpheus rose up and inspired the oppressed class to at the very least try. By creating a beautiful overworld worth fighting for and unwelcoming underworld for the characters to escape, the design highlights that to live is to try, despite the inevitability of failure. 

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