DollhouseDollhouseBy Rebecca GilmanBy Rebecca Gilman

(Group 80)(Group 80)

Set DesignSet DesignBy Cynthia NguyenBy Cynthia Nguyen

Overall VisionOverall Vision

Proscenium TheatreProscenium Theatre

Set will feature a middle-class family homeSet will feature a middle-class family home

Warm, inviting, and traditional atmosphereWarm, inviting, and traditional atmosphere

All three scenes take place centrally in the living All three scenes take place centrally in the living space, but doors will be present to represent the space, but doors will be present to represent the front door that is often used and the door to Terry’s front door that is often used and the door to Terry’s officeoffice

The set will also include an embellished kitchen and The set will also include an embellished kitchen and dining area to show Nora and Terry’s attention to dining area to show Nora and Terry’s attention to detail and appearancedetail and appearance

SetSet

Leather couches are center stage with a coffee table in Leather couches are center stage with a coffee table in the middlethe middle

Fireplace is lit to add warmth to the scene Fireplace is lit to add warmth to the scene

Bookshelves and framed pictures indicate a family Bookshelves and framed pictures indicate a family lifestyle. Large portrait of Nora and Terry depict a lifestyle. Large portrait of Nora and Terry depict a “perfect” life“perfect” life

Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree indicates the Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree indicates the holiday seasonholiday season

The home is traditionally decorated with an impeccable The home is traditionally decorated with an impeccable attention to detail attention to detail

Essentially an open space, but full of character without Essentially an open space, but full of character without being cluttered being cluttered

Kitchen/Dining SpaceKitchen/Dining Space

The kitchen and dining area is rarely used but is an accent to the living space The kitchen and dining area is rarely used but is an accent to the living space because it displays Nora and Terry’s exquisite taste despite whether or not they because it displays Nora and Terry’s exquisite taste despite whether or not they

could afford itcould afford it

Luxurious products such as a commercial refrigerator, granite countertops, and and cherry cabinets are all status symbols. It portrays a “well-off” or stable family

Main SetMain Set

Although the play takes place in Nora and Terry’s condo, the Although the play takes place in Nora and Terry’s condo, the living room is seen as the focal point of the playliving room is seen as the focal point of the play

The color of each element such as the furniture and paint color greatly affects the mood and style of the play

This picture accurately depicts the “traditional” living space we want to capture

Main Set, ContinuedMain Set, Continued

Specific details brings out the character of the Nora and Terry’s home. It also proves the importance of keeping up with appearances

The furniture are traditional without looking dated. It allows the audience to establish the locale and period of the play

A lot of different elements such as the lamps, portrait, bookshelf, and even coat rack allows the

play to be recognized as realistic theatre

Lighting DesignLighting Design By Ragde QuinteroBy Ragde Quintero

Opening Act Opening Act We would utilize We would utilize ““Straw WashStraw Wash”” in the opening act to convey in the opening act to convey the 'warmth' of the the 'warmth' of the household, characteristic of a household, characteristic of a typical hometypical home

IntensityIntensityWe would utilize moderate We would utilize moderate intensity lighting in order to intensity lighting in order to maintain the realistic image of maintain the realistic image of an American home. an American home.

ColorColorWe would utilize very warm coloring to We would utilize very warm coloring to create the sense of an inviting environment create the sense of an inviting environment that would assist in creating an image of the that would assist in creating an image of the perfect home. perfect home.

Color, ContinuedColor, Continued

Dim, dramatic lack of color for confrontational scenes: Raj Patel’s visit and Dim, dramatic lack of color for confrontational scenes: Raj Patel’s visit and his conversation with Nora. Also during the tense conversation between his conversation with Nora. Also during the tense conversation between Nora and Terry after her encounter with Raj.Nora and Terry after her encounter with Raj.

Dramatic lack of color for confrontational scenes

Color/IntensityColor/Intensity

Color/ IntensityColor/ Intensity

Color/ Intensity Combination

DirectionDirectionWe would utilize lighting that is We would utilize lighting that is evenly distributed across the evenly distributed across the stage in order to maintain a stage in order to maintain a realistic and relatable set. realistic and relatable set.

Lighting TechniquesLighting TechniquesFront lighting and back lighting to prevent Front lighting and back lighting to prevent shadowing, which could ruin the naturalistic effectshadowing, which could ruin the naturalistic effect

Lighting Techniques, Lighting Techniques, ContinuedContinuedVisibility: highlighting the characters on a dark stage to Visibility: highlighting the characters on a dark stage to bring focus on action.bring focus on action.

Costume DesignCostume DesignBy Monica GardenBy Monica Garden

Costuming OverviewCostuming Overview

In order to exemplify the overall mood of our In order to exemplify the overall mood of our production of the play, the costuming displays a production of the play, the costuming displays a modern version of a traditional American style.modern version of a traditional American style.

This theme is especially displayed through the This theme is especially displayed through the costuming of Nora, Terry, and their childrencostuming of Nora, Terry, and their children

Although the play is set in modern times, the Although the play is set in modern times, the costuming reflects the classic/traditional structure costuming reflects the classic/traditional structure of Nora and Terryof Nora and Terry’’s households household

Nora(Act 1)Nora(Act 1)In order to help illustrate the image of Nora as somewhat of a In order to help illustrate the image of Nora as somewhat of a ““trophy wifetrophy wife””, we , we

dressed Nora in a very elegant day dress, paired with a nice fur coat and embellished dressed Nora in a very elegant day dress, paired with a nice fur coat and embellished boots. With jewelry and a lovely bag to compliment her dress, she is given a very boots. With jewelry and a lovely bag to compliment her dress, she is given a very

classy look that pairs nicely with the classic American style of the whole production. classy look that pairs nicely with the classic American style of the whole production.

Terry(Act 1)Terry(Act 1)Although Terry is a young banker, since it is a Saturday, we Although Terry is a young banker, since it is a Saturday, we

styled him with a look that is slightly more casual. Since Terry is styled him with a look that is slightly more casual. Since Terry is already in the home, he is not wearing a jacket. already in the home, he is not wearing a jacket.

Pete(Act 1) Pete(Act 1) We styled Pete very similarly to Terry in the first scene due to the fact that We styled Pete very similarly to Terry in the first scene due to the fact that

since they have been good friends since college, they would more than likely since they have been good friends since college, they would more than likely have similar styles. While keeping in mind the nature of Chicago winters, we have similar styles. While keeping in mind the nature of Chicago winters, we

gave Pete a style that reflects a young professional on the weekends. gave Pete a style that reflects a young professional on the weekends.

Iris(Act 1)Iris(Act 1)We styled Iris in a simple polo and jeans with an apron based on We styled Iris in a simple polo and jeans with an apron based on the work that she is involved in. Although it is cold outside, since the work that she is involved in. Although it is cold outside, since

Iris is inside the home, a jacket is not necessary. Iris is inside the home, a jacket is not necessary.

Kristine(Act 1)Kristine(Act 1)Because Kristine seems to be less focused on her physical appearance in Because Kristine seems to be less focused on her physical appearance in

relationship with her career accomplishments, we styled her with a slightly relationship with her career accomplishments, we styled her with a slightly more modest flare in comparison to Nora. However, she is still a woman in more modest flare in comparison to Nora. However, she is still a woman in

her early thirties so we gave her a look that would still match her age. her early thirties so we gave her a look that would still match her age.

Marta(Act 1)Marta(Act 1)Because Marta has gone ice skating with the kids, we dressed her Because Marta has gone ice skating with the kids, we dressed her

very casually but warm since she is enduring the cold Chicago very casually but warm since she is enduring the cold Chicago winter. winter.

Max(Act 1)Max(Act 1)Since Max went ice skating with Marta and his sisters, we dressed Since Max went ice skating with Marta and his sisters, we dressed

him in a very warm ensemble, including snow boots a fur-lined him in a very warm ensemble, including snow boots a fur-lined parka. parka.

Macey(Act 1)Macey(Act 1)Just like her mom, Macey is styled to be super stylish. Although Just like her mom, Macey is styled to be super stylish. Although she is well bundled for the Chicago winter, Macey is given vivid she is well bundled for the Chicago winter, Macey is given vivid

colors and styles that Nora would approve of. colors and styles that Nora would approve of.

Skyler(Act 1)Skyler(Act 1)Just like her younger sister, Skyler is styled similarly to her mom, Just like her younger sister, Skyler is styled similarly to her mom, very elegant(for a 6-year old) and very warm in order to face the very elegant(for a 6-year old) and very warm in order to face the

cold Chicago winter on an ice skating trip. cold Chicago winter on an ice skating trip.

Raj PatelRaj PatelBecause Raj is not in the comfort of his own home or that of a close friend, Because Raj is not in the comfort of his own home or that of a close friend, we styled Raj a bit more formally. Keeping in mind that he is also a young we styled Raj a bit more formally. Keeping in mind that he is also a young professional, we styled him in nice clothing that would match his status. professional, we styled him in nice clothing that would match his status.

DirectorDirectorWe chose to work with the script, We chose to work with the script, DollhouseDollhouse by Rebecca Gilman because we felt the by Rebecca Gilman because we felt the plot was so relatable and we wanted to take something so current and depict it plot was so relatable and we wanted to take something so current and depict it onstage, hoping others would be just as excited about the product as we were.onstage, hoping others would be just as excited about the product as we were.

The spine of the play is when the protagonist, Nora stands up for herself in the final The spine of the play is when the protagonist, Nora stands up for herself in the final argument with Terry. Nora’s bravery in the last scene proved that she no longer argument with Terry. Nora’s bravery in the last scene proved that she no longer wanted to be a “doll” in Terry’s world, but to simply be herself. She realized although wanted to be a “doll” in Terry’s world, but to simply be herself. She realized although she loved Terry, her sacrificial role only contributed to her putting away her desires she loved Terry, her sacrificial role only contributed to her putting away her desires which slowly masked who she really was. This brings us to the point of the second which slowly masked who she really was. This brings us to the point of the second major theme, appearance can be deceiving. Nora’s constant “happy” and “perfect” major theme, appearance can be deceiving. Nora’s constant “happy” and “perfect” character disguised the lies and secrets she was holding inside. It was not until the character disguised the lies and secrets she was holding inside. It was not until the second spine of the play, the uncovering of secrets, was Nora able to take that burden second spine of the play, the uncovering of secrets, was Nora able to take that burden off her chest and truly be happy. off her chest and truly be happy.

In order to help illuminate the spine, we chose to go with the naturalism style. We In order to help illuminate the spine, we chose to go with the naturalism style. We want to keep the production as honest and as close to reality as possible. We believe want to keep the production as honest and as close to reality as possible. We believe events such as those in events such as those in Dollhouse Dollhouse truly exists in current day America and there is no truly exists in current day America and there is no better style than naturalism to give spectators a “slice-of-life”better style than naturalism to give spectators a “slice-of-life”

Two ruling metaphors, (1) the portrait of Nora and Terry as well as (2) The dollhouse Two ruling metaphors, (1) the portrait of Nora and Terry as well as (2) The dollhouse helps implement the concept. We took the two metaphors and strived to be straight helps implement the concept. We took the two metaphors and strived to be straight forward with our vision, tying in all the element of theatre as well as incorporating the forward with our vision, tying in all the element of theatre as well as incorporating the themes and metaphors. We stayed true to the the playwright, Rebecca Gilman’s vision themes and metaphors. We stayed true to the the playwright, Rebecca Gilman’s vision and kept her work as is. Hopefully, others will appreciate the piece it as much as we and kept her work as is. Hopefully, others will appreciate the piece it as much as we appreciated creating the artappreciated creating the art

CastingCasting

Nora Helmer …………………………………………………………...….Kate Noelle HolmesNora Helmer …………………………………………………………...….Kate Noelle Holmes

Iris……………………………………………………….Julia Elizabeth Scarlett Louis-DreyfusIris……………………………………………………….Julia Elizabeth Scarlett Louis-Dreyfus

Terry Helmer………………………………………………………….Edward Harrison NortonTerry Helmer………………………………………………………….Edward Harrison Norton

Pete……………………………………………………………………..….Michael Carlyle HallPete……………………………………………………………………..….Michael Carlyle Hall

Kristine Linde…………………………………………………………….Bryce Dallas HowardKristine Linde…………………………………………………………….Bryce Dallas Howard

Marta…………………………………………………………………….Elizabeth Judson ShueMarta…………………………………………………………………….Elizabeth Judson Shue

Raj…………………………………………………………………………..……..Kunal NayyarRaj…………………………………………………………………………..……..Kunal Nayyar

Each character was taken into consideration and a lot of thought was put into deciding Each character was taken into consideration and a lot of thought was put into deciding the cast of the cast of DollhouseDollhouse. We feel confident that these actors/actresses will carry out . We feel confident that these actors/actresses will carry out their respected roles to perfectly depict the characters of Rebecca Gilman’s scripttheir respected roles to perfectly depict the characters of Rebecca Gilman’s script