Project Details

The Prom is a modern musical comedy with a heartfelt core, following a group of Broadway actors who descend upon a small Indiana town to support a lesbian student fighting for her right to attend prom with her girlfriend. Through a blend of comedic clashes and emotional moments, the show celebrates the power of acceptance and the courage to embrace individuality.

My design approach for The Prom was to create a visual world as vibrant and dynamic as the show's Broadway protagonists while still keeping parts of it grounded in "real life". As the adjunct faculty designer, I was responsible for all aspects of the design and load-in,. This involved creating a comprehensive lighting plot and paperwork, supervising the crew during the hang and focus, and ultimately programming the show.

This production presented some exciting opportunities for innovation, requiring a seamless integration of traditional theatrical lighting with modern LED and wireless technology. A key design element was the use of RGB LED "neon" tape to edge the hanging scenic signs. These provided vibrant pops of color and dynamic chases, allowing for creative looks that punctuated the big musical numbers with a modern, high-energy aesthetic.

We also navigated the challenge of several rolling scenic units with integrated practical lights. To maintain a clean, cable-free stage and ensure smooth, fast transitions, we opted for wireless control and battery power for these units. This technical solution eliminated the need for trailing cables, creating a seamless and safe environment that allowed the practicals to move fluidly with the scenery and appear as a natural part of the set. This project was a testament to how creative and technical problem-solving can work in tandem to support a production's aesthetic and practical needs.