Andrea Adams

Drama 101, NSCC

March 3rd, 2011

Director’s Concept for Anna in the Tropics

Statement of Theme:

This production will focus on the theme of tradition versus technology, contrasting the warmth and romance of Latin culture against the cold machinery and efficiency of industry. It will highlight the characters’ conflict between maintaining their traditions (in essence, culture and humanity) and employing modern methods that would allow their business to be more competitive. The debate about hiring a lector illustrates this conflict. One owner views this position as a necessary custom that brings life and culture to the work, while her partner sees it as a superfluous expense that adds nothing to the bottom line.

Why theme is important/relevant today:

We live in a time when many people feel that our technology is outpacing our humanity. As our “global community” expands, our local communities appear to shrink. We’re versed in international politics, but we don’t know our next door neighbors. This is not to say that technology is automatically “bad”, it merely illustrates the fact that progress and development often come at the expense of tradition and personal connection. That being said, this play raises questions that are still important, such as “what do we value?” and “is there a balance to be struck between tradition and technology?

Central Image and its relationship to the Theme:

This image shows an industrial factory filled with rusty pipes, cold metal and a glimmering hint of progress. At the center is a beautiful woman in a flowing dress with a large bouquet of flowers in her open arms. Her aesthetic is romantic and antiquated, and it is difficult to see how she fits in to her

surroundings. In some ways she seems to blend with her environment, and at the same time she seems out of place. Is she a contributing force in this industrial climate? Is she an ancestor who carries important knowledge to guide the way or merely a ghost that is slowly fading from the picture?

This is the visual equivalent of the conflicts presented in the play’s theme – romance and history juxtaposed against a backdrop of unfeeling industry and metal. It is obvious that there is a change taking place, but what is less obvious is which elements will be most valuable in the long run. Can these older sensitivities persist in the colder realm of logic and looming technology?

Scenic Design:

The overall tone for the set will be dark and earthy. Browns, gold and rust will evoke a sense of tobacco and a warm, muggy climate. The factory will be open with sparse wood furnishings, brick walls, and a bit of machinery … nothing too big, but enough to give a subtle suggestion of industry.

In contrast to the dark environment the characters will wear light clothing with fluid lines. Their tidy work spaces will be filled with neatly bound cigar bundles. They’ll be decorated with sentimental items like flower bouquets and beautiful photos from magazines.

Lighting Design:

Again, the emphasis will be on dark earthy tones. I was inspired by the way an old sepia photo helped to create the visual design’s focus for a production of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, so I’ll “borrow” that concept for my lighting. The lighting will be dim, using warm sepia tones to evoke a vintage/old world look. The characters will be lit more clearly, with true color bulbs, so that they have a crisp, bright look against the dark set.

Sound Design:

The sound design for this production will be simple. Radio was a very popular form of entertainment during this era, and it provides a great way for us to reflect the cultural influences in this story. The factory’s radio will play a mixture of Cuban music and popular American songs. As a gesture of respect, a worker will turn the radio off before the lector begins his readings. During these readings, the only sounds we’ll hear besides the lector’s voice are the turning of pages and the wistful sighs of the female workers.