A Scenic Design for Richard O'brien's the Rocky Horror Show
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A SCENIC DESIGN FOR RICHARD O’BRIEN’S THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW by GARY DAVID ALEXANDER B.F.A. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2003 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in the Department of Theatre in the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2008 ©2008 Gary D. Alexander ii ABSTRACT This thesis documents my process as Scenic Designer for Richard O’Brien’s musical, The Rocky Horror Show, presented by the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre. This production premiered on the University of Central Florida’s Mainstage Theatre 29 March 2007 and ran for fifteen performances, closing on 15 April 2007. This thesis includes my research and analysis of the published script and a production journal which documents my process for our specific production. In this document, I illustrate how my communication and meetings with the director and members of the design team moved from initial conversations into the research, development, and construction processes in order to create the realized production. I explain the challenges and obstacles I faced in the development and construction stages and how my communication with members of the design and production staff led to the final design. Throughout this document, I present figures displaying the preliminary sketches, renderings, construction process, and production photographs that illustrate how the production moved from an idea to a reality. I also present a self analysis of the process and final product through personal reflection and outside response. iii To Mom, Dad, and Jeremy, who have supported my continuing education. To Vandy, Bert, and Kristina, who are mildly aggravated by my emails and constant nagging. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to acknowledge Mitchell Orben as Assistant Scenic Designer for this production of The Rocky Horror Show at the University of Central Florida, spring 2007. v TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... viii LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS .............................................................................. 3 Script Analysis ............................................................................................................................ 3 Playwright and Social Analysis ................................................................................................ 16 Social Background ................................................................................................................ 16 Playwright Richard O’Brien ................................................................................................. 17 Production History .................................................................................................................... 18 1973....................................................................................................................................... 18 1974....................................................................................................................................... 19 1975....................................................................................................................................... 20 1976 – 2000........................................................................................................................... 21 2000....................................................................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER 3: SCENIC DESIGN DEVELOPMENT ................................................................... 25 The Design Process Journal ...................................................................................................... 25 First Reading ......................................................................................................................... 25 Concept Meetings ................................................................................................................. 27 Design Meetings ................................................................................................................... 39 Preliminary Designs .............................................................................................................. 42 Design Presentation .............................................................................................................. 52 CHAPTER 4: THE PRODUCTION PROCESS .......................................................................... 55 The Production Process Journal ................................................................................................ 55 Scenic Construction .............................................................................................................. 55 Paper Tech ............................................................................................................................ 83 Technical Rehearsals ............................................................................................................ 85 First Dress Rehearsal ............................................................................................................ 90 Final Dress Rehearsal ........................................................................................................... 92 Opening Night ....................................................................................................................... 93 Post Production ..................................................................................................................... 94 CHAPTER 5: DESIGN EVALUATION...................................................................................... 97 Financial Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 97 Working With The Directing Team .......................................................................................... 98 Director Earl Weaver ............................................................................................................ 98 Music Director Kip Taisey .................................................................................................... 99 Choreographer Tim Ellis..................................................................................................... 100 Stage Manager Hannah Kugelmann ................................................................................... 101 Working With The Design Team ............................................................................................ 101 Assistant Scenic Designer Mitchell Orben ......................................................................... 101 Costume Designer Harmony McChesney ........................................................................... 102 Lighting Designer George Jackson ..................................................................................... 103 Sound Designer Martin Wootton ........................................................................................ 104 vi Props Designers William Boles and Beth DeCarlo ............................................................ 105 Working With The Production Team ..................................................................................... 105 Production Managers Kevin Rose and Zachary Stribling ................................................... 105 Technical Director Michael Layton .................................................................................... 106 Evaluation of the Design Process ........................................................................................... 107 Evaluation of the Production Process ..................................................................................... 109 Evaluation of the Scenic Design ............................................................................................. 111 APPENDIX A: VISUAL RESEARCH ...................................................................................... 116 APPENDIX B: CAST LIST ....................................................................................................... 119 APPENDIX C: ACTION CHART ............................................................................................. 121 APPENDIX D: PROPS LIST ..................................................................................................... 124 APPENDIX E: PRELIMINARY SKETCHES ........................................................................... 128 APPENDIX F: THE SCENIC MODEL ..................................................................................... 132 APPENDIX G: FINAL SKETCHES AND RENDERINGS ...................................................... 135 APPENDIX H: DRAFTING....................................................................................................... 138 APPENDIX I: THE BUILD SCHEDULE ................................................................................. 147 APPENDIX J: PRODUCTION PROCESS PHOTOGRAPHS .................................................. 151 APPENDIX K: PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHS