Dollhouse Collaboration Group 97
- 3. CAST • Amy Adams/Nora Helmer: Plays Nora because is troubled character that has to play to distinct personalities adept to what her husband wants and who she truly feels. Examples of her persona would be Junebug/Enchanted and her deciveness is potrayed well in American Hustle • Jon Hamm/Terry Helmer: Terry is a sturdy character who is very keen about appearances. He business-like demeanor is genuine even at home. His persona is well exhibited in the series Mad Men
- 4. • Kate Winslet/ Kristine Linde: Kristine is a very mature character who has grasped the danger of money. She is the only character who feels the need to be honest. Example of her persona is exhibited in Blue Valentine • Joaqin Phoenix/Pete: Pete has a sense of humor and is more compassionate towards others, especially Nora. Examples of his persona would be Her/Walk the Line • Raj Patel/ John Ortiz: Raj is not hesitant to act cruel as he has been mistreated all his life. His blackmailing of Nora shows he can instill fear when needed. Example of his persona could be seen in American Gangster or Public Enemies.
- 5. THEME • The theme of the play should reflect the burden of money. Throughout the play money is the driving factor. Nora has purchasing issues, Kristine is seeking employment, Terry’s career revolves around lending money, and Raj Patel is in need of funding. Nora and Raj have this void that they believe can be filled with money. Ironically, the lives of millions of people are jeopardized by Raj’s inability to raise the necessary funds. Kristine is the only character that realizes spending money on frivolous trips does not indicate one is truly living. • Another theme that the play exhibits is the illusion of perfect home. The audience realizes that their condo is really what Nora has fabricated to please Terry. Everything is made to satisfy society’s perspective of high class.
- 6. STAGE • In a proscenium stage like the Wortham Theatre. The lighting will be a combination of white and light yellow so as to give a welcoming feel. The furniture is not to expensive and should exhibit a huge Christmas Tree.
- 7. CHARACTER MANNERISMS' • Kate Winslet is superb in playing conflicted characters and can be strong willed. Nora will continously display a notion of doubt and hesitation in scenes like attempting to stall Terry from reading his mail and arguments she has with Raj. Winslet’s talent in argumentive scenes will be displayed when confronting Terry. • For the most part Raj will be unsympathetic and unhesitant. He is a very intelligent character and evokes no emotion until confronted by Kristine
- 8. MOTIF • The ruling metaphor for Dollhouse would be the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree should be very well ornamented, shimmering, and huge. In fact it size should be big enough so that it towers the surrounding presents around it. The reason for this is to convey of overdoing what is necessary to the extent it undervalues what is truly important, the gifts. In relation to the theme of appearances, I would have the tree look great in the beginning, and as Nora begins to fall apart I would have the tree look worse as time progresses as well, and emphasize how Terry says that the tree cannot be up after New Years
- 10. TIME PERIOD • The play takes place in 2004 this is alluded in the play with references to the Enron scandal, and also brand names that are still around today, such as target, pottery barn, etc. • I plan to make the time period apparent, through use of common day attire, with the help of my costume designer, furniture distinctive of that time period, and would also include some electrical appliances/technologies that would indicate to the audience that is in the present era. • The play also takes place during Christmas time, I would make the Christmas tree that is in the corner of the room with the presents come to life and become a dynamic centerpiece for the stage. I believe that the fact that it is the holidays helps set the scene and develop the plot.
- 11. LOCALE • Dollhouse takes plays in a middle class white families home. During the play the characters do not leave the home. There is an open floor plan, a kitchen, living area, study, fireplace, and the main room is filled with portraits indicating a typical American family. • I would create a “Perfect” set that would play on the title “ A Doll House” which would represent the unreliability of appearances. • The play is set in the families living room and study. I use a few big items that would be typical of a home for the scene design. I would use these few big pieces incorporated with how nice they are, how they are set up, and the costume design to establish that we are in a ordinary suburban families home.
- 12. REALISTIC THEATRE • Dollhouse is an example of realistic theatre! • Realistic theatre calls for setting that’s look very much like their counterparts in real life, but does not call for a complete reproduction. • I would chose to use the key parts of home; a center couch where a lot of the action happens, the table in front (with the un-necessary nice candlesticks on top), and the Christmas tree with presents in the corner. I would also off to the side, somewhat secluded, I would set a desk with a laptop for Terry’s Study. • This way I am not entirely duplicating a suburban home and every detail, but choosing certain objects that really give meaning to the set and help the audience understand the setting and characters involved.
- 13. ENVIRONMENT AND MOOD/STYLE • The scene designer is responsible for the “visual extravangazas”. • They are also responsible for helping to create the mood and set the tone of the play. • The mood is warm, welcoming and family friendly, but there is also a feeling of being in a glass house because the “doll house” is built upon appearances.
- 14. DESIGN CONCEPT CENTRAL IMAGE• The design concept that I would create for this play would be the idea that there home is “A Doll House”. It would emphasize the immaculateness and the “nice things” in this not so typical suburban middle class families home. • The central image that I would choose is the Christmas Tree. The tree mean as a festive decorative object I believe symbolizes Nora’s position as something that is pleasing to look at and adds charm to the household. I would have the tree look great in the beginning, and as Nora begins to fall apart I would have the tree look worse as time progresses as well, and emphasize how Terry says that the tree cannot be up after New Years.
- 15. COSTUMES Kyra James Kyra James
- 16. NORA HELMER I chose a simple sweater and pair of pants as the ideal clothing for Nora because it’s comfortable for staying at home with the kids or running to the store. It doesn’t look overly expensive but it still looks fashionable and put together.
- 17. TERRY HELMER • Terry shows the personality of a stern business man. He seems to be a man always found in a suit or a button down around the house. The suit also represents his new promotion and being in charge. It isn’t flashy or expensive, but it is still professional and put together.
- 18. PETEA sweater with khakis or jeans would be the ideal costume for Pete because he is usually at the Helmer’s house for a casual reason. This out outfit choice is relaxed but still presentable since he is a doctor.
- 19. KRISTINE LINDE This outfit suits Kristine because it is still a bit professional looking, but casual. Nora portrays her as very intelligent and hardworking from her college stories. The cardigan sweater and flats kind of shows her business side. The pink also gives of her kind personality.
- 20. MARTAThe clothing choice for Marta is very simple and easy since she spends all her time taking care of the children. It also isn’t dressy in any way since she probably does not have that kind of money. Her clothes would not look very new.
- 21. RAJ PATEL From past stories about Raj he doesn’t seem to be some one entirely into status from looks or money. He is focused on anything related to his science which is why is clothing is very plain and simple. The lack of color may also help the audience notice him as an antagonist.
- 23. Brenda Kpnovi
- 24. VISIBILITY Depending on the size of the stage set, having Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight and border lights are useful as you can reach a lot of areas on stage, or even the whole stage without having so many side lights. The lights should be bright as you want the stage to be illuminated to its fullest potential.
- 25. MOOD AND STYLE Setting the mood and style with lights can help the audience and appreciate different scenes. For example, When Pete kissed Nora, the lighting call soften to a more yellowish light. When Nora is telling Kristine about her husband’s abuse of drugs and who she got the money from, there can be a glowing red light so it can show the damning effect. There can also be table lamps and standing lamps on the set to make the lighting more of a effect as the setting is in their house. Figuring out the level off each mood and style lighting is also key. Another way to set the mood and style through lighting would be to show the different times. Something like a sunray or night sky can help, especially when they had the New Year’s Eve party, which was in the evening.
- 26. Color: For example, When Terry was berating Nora at the end, the stage lighting color could turn fiery red as it was a heated and climactic scene. Or the scene with Raj and Kristine finally seeing each other after years and admitting their feelings to each other, the stage can be filled with a midnight blue color. You can use color scrollers to get color lighting. Color, like intensity, can establish time and place. Intensity: Knowing whether and when to dim the lights in certain scenes such as when Raj and Kristine see each other at the New Years Party. The light would dim in other parts of the stage and get brighter and more centered on them for more focus. Or when Raj and Nora as talking when he comes asking her for money. You Use electronic stage light dimmers to dim lights.
- 27. Distribution: Positioning each light on the right place and angle on stage makes a play better. Such as the lighting during the New Years Eve party. Movement: Even though positioning is also a important part of lighting, you have to know how move with the actors and actresses also. A good example is the scene when Terry finds out about Nora’s betrayal, she becomes frantic and moves at a fast pace around the stage. The lighting has to catch all her movements perfectly.