Once on This Island
Groton School 2011
Asen Theater
Scenic Design & Technical Direction
Collaboration with Student Engineering Class
Asen Theater
Scenic Design & Technical Direction
Collaboration with Student Engineering Class
One of the goals of the design was to use a minimal number of materials in construction of the scenery and props. Bamboo, raffia, and "junk on the floor of the shop" were the main components.
Collaboration with Student Engineering Class
The tree was a unique collaborative project involving one of the engineering classes. This class divided into teams and developed a variety of proposals, ultimately selecting one student design for the show. The chosen design featured a series of telescoping tubes that were lifted from a pick-up point through a trap in the floor.
During my time at Groton I created a Saturday morning program with faculty children over the age of six who are interested in helping out backstage. These projects ranged from paint work to simple construction tasks. For the production of “Once on This Island”, the faculty children played a significant role in bringing the tree to life. They helped construct the tree using papier-mâché and cardboard, transforming the design into a tangible scenic element.
At the end of the show, the tree took on a new role as a giant piñata. We closed off the bottom of the tree and filled it with treats, allowing students of all ages, from the youngest children to the Groton students, to have fun whacking at it and enjoying the rewards inside.
This project not only highlighted the creativity and engineering skills of the students but also fostered a sense of community and teamwork among everyone involved. The faculty children’s involvement in building the tree provided them with hands-on experience and a deeper connection to the production, making the final performance a truly collaborative and memorable event for all.
The tree was a unique collaborative project involving one of the engineering classes. This class divided into teams and developed a variety of proposals, ultimately selecting one student design for the show. The chosen design featured a series of telescoping tubes that were lifted from a pick-up point through a trap in the floor.
During my time at Groton I created a Saturday morning program with faculty children over the age of six who are interested in helping out backstage. These projects ranged from paint work to simple construction tasks. For the production of “Once on This Island”, the faculty children played a significant role in bringing the tree to life. They helped construct the tree using papier-mâché and cardboard, transforming the design into a tangible scenic element.
At the end of the show, the tree took on a new role as a giant piñata. We closed off the bottom of the tree and filled it with treats, allowing students of all ages, from the youngest children to the Groton students, to have fun whacking at it and enjoying the rewards inside.
This project not only highlighted the creativity and engineering skills of the students but also fostered a sense of community and teamwork among everyone involved. The faculty children’s involvement in building the tree provided them with hands-on experience and a deeper connection to the production, making the final performance a truly collaborative and memorable event for all.