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Scenic Design for a Production of Sophie Treadwell’s Machinal

Loomis, Elinore Elizabeth
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1243534545

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Fine Arts, Ohio State University, Theatre.
Machinal written by Sophie Treadwell, was produced by The Ohio State University department of theatre in the winter quarter of 2009. This thesis documents the scenic design process for the production. Chapter one covers the design team, which included the director, lighting, sound and costume designer and the technical aspects of the theatre space. The following chapters explore script analysis and society’s influences on Treadwell’s work. In later chapters I explore the director’s concept and how it influenced my design and the technical process of producing the show. I end with my reaction to the design process and production. In her director’s statement, Lesley Ferris explained her idea of a bleak world that portrayed society as a machine. This was achieved with abstract and constructivist lines and shapes in the design. The scenery was “suggestive and stylized” rather than a realistic environment. The design employed the use of projections and shadow play as the backdrop to help create atmosphere. An intimate space helped achieve a claustrophobic environment expressed in the script. To achieve this effect scaffolding was erected in the auditorium, surrounding the audience. The set itself was constructed out of steel, corrugated panels and expanded metal to create a harsh and stark world. Most of the acting space was on the apron of the stage to bring the action closer to the audience. These elements helped create the bleak mechanical world and the intimate and claustrophobic environment that was required for the production.
Daniel Gray, M.F.A (Advisor)
Mark Shanda, M.F.A (Committee Member)
Lesley Ferris, Ph.D (Committee Member)
100 p.
Theater
Machinal; Sophie Treadwell; Theatre Production; Scenic Design

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Loomis, E. E. (2009). Scenic Design for a Production of Sophie Treadwell’s Machinal [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1243534545

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Loomis, Elinore. Scenic Design for a Production of Sophie Treadwell’s Machinal. 2009. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1243534545.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Loomis, Elinore. "Scenic Design for a Production of Sophie Treadwell’s Machinal." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1243534545

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1243534545
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© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.