Example director's concept
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This production of Anna in the Tropics will focus on the theme of tradition versus technology, depicting the warmth of Latin culture contrasted with the cold efficiency of industry in a cigar factory. The debate around hiring a lector illustrates the conflict between maintaining cultural traditions or employing modern cost-cutting methods. The director envisions setting the play in a dark, earthy factory setting decorated with sentimental items, with the characters dressed in light, flowing clothing. Dim, sepia-toned lighting will create a vintage look, while radio and live readings will reflect the cultural influences in the story through sound design.
Example director's concept
- 1. AndreaAdams Drama 101, NSCC March 3rd, 2011 Director’s Concept for Anna in the Tropics Statementof Theme: Thisproductionwill focusonthe theme of traditionversustechnology,contrastingthe warmthand romance of Latinculture againstthe coldmachineryandefficiencyof industry. Itwill highlightthe characters’conflictbetweenmaintainingtheirtraditions(inessence,cultureandhumanity) and employingmodernmethodsthatwouldallow theirbusinesstobe more competitive.The debate about hiringa lectorillustratesthisconflict.One ownerviewsthispositionasanecessarycustomthat brings life andculture tothe work,while herpartnerseesitas a superfluousexpensethataddsnothingtothe bottomline. Whytheme is important/relevanttoday: We live inatime whenmanypeople feel thatourtechnologyisoutpacingourhumanity.Asour“global community”expands,ourlocal communitiesappeartoshrink. We’re versedininternational politics, but we don’tknowour nextdoorneighbors.Thisisnotto saythat technologyisautomatically“bad”,it merelyillustratesthe factthatprogressanddevelopmentoftencome atthe expense of traditionand personal connection.Thatbeingsaid,thisplayraisesquestionsthatare still important,suchas“whatdo we value?”and“is there a balance tobe struckbetweentraditionandtechnology? Central Image and itsrelationshipto the Theme: Thisimage showsan industrial factoryfilledwithrustypipes,coldmetal anda glimmeringhintof progress.Atthe centeris a beautiful womaninaflowingdresswithalarge bouquetof flowersinher openarms.Her aestheticisromanticandantiquated,anditis difficulttosee how she fitsinto her
- 2. surroundings.Insome waysshe seemstoblendwithherenvironment,andatthe same time she seems out of place.Is she a contributingforce inthisindustrial climate?Isshe anancestorwhocarries importantknowledge toguide the wayormerelyaghost that isslowlyfadingfromthe picture? Thisis the visual equivalentof the conflictspresentedinthe play’stheme –romance andhistory juxtaposedagainstabackdropof unfeelingindustryandmetal.Itisobviousthatthere isa change taking place,butwhat islessobviousiswhichelementswillbe mostvaluable inthe longrun.Canthese older sensitivitiespersistinthe colderrealmof logicandloomingtechnology? ScenicDesign: The overall tone forthe setwill be dark andearthy.Browns,goldand rustwill evoke asense of tobacco and a warm,muggy climate.The factorywill be openwithsparse woodfurnishings,brickwalls,andabit of machinery…nothingtoobig, but enoughtogive a subtle suggestionof industry. In contrastto the darkenvironmentthe characterswill wearlightclothingwithfluidlines.Theirtidy workspaceswill be filledwithneatlyboundcigarbundles.They’llbe decoratedwithsentimental items like flowerbouquetsandbeautifulphotosfrommagazines. LightingDesign:
- 3. Again,the emphasiswillbe ondark earthytones.I wasinspiredbythe wayan oldsepiaphotohelpedto create the visual design’sfocusforaproductionof Joe Turner’sComeand Gone,so I’ll “borrow”that conceptfor mylighting.The lightingwill be dim, usingwarmsepiatonestoevoke avintage/oldworld look.The characters will be litmore clearly,withtrue colorbulbs,sothattheyhave a crisp,brightlook againstthe dark set. Sound Design: The sounddesign forthisproductionwill be simple.Radiowasaverypopularformof entertainment duringthisera,and it providesagreatway forus to reflectthe cultural influencesinthisstory.The factory’sradiowill playamixture of Cubanmusicand popularAmericansongs.Asa gesture of respect,a workerwill turnthe radiooff before the lectorbeginshisreadings.Duringthese readings,the only soundswe’ll hearbesidesthe lector’svoice are the turningof pages andthe wistful sighsof the female workers.