Scenic Design
Projection Design
Client
Garden Theatre
Winter Garden, FL
Winter Garden, FL
Cast
Directed by: Jani Walsh-Weber
Technical Direction: Jim Zervas
Lighting Design: Erin Miner
Costume Design: AJ Garcia
Sound Design: Jack Audet
Based on the 1983 movie, Flashdance: The Musical tells the story of an steelworker in Pittsburgh who dreams of being a dancer.
ecause of space limitations and the fluid structure of the script, we needed to design to design a space that could be a lot of places at once. Primarily, we needed it to be a bar/strip club as well as an industrial steel mill. I utilized projections to establish specific locations, but gave the overall space an overall industrial feel. Locations like Alex’s apartment were defined using limited props and light isolation.
Initial Sketches
Using AutoCAD 3D I essentially build a computerized white model. Much of the design process and initial communication was done remotely over email. I found it much easier to communicate changes and ideas if I could quickly alter a simple model and send it to her for approval.
Establishing Design
I constructed a fairly elaborate white model fairly early in the process. This was a good way to communicate the overall direction of the design. This closely resembles the final design except for platforming and legs that were cut for cost.
While the stage didn’t physically alter much during the show, I rendered this moment to show that lighting could be used to isolate specific areas and define a fairly intimate space. The second level of the stage became a dressing room. In terms of furniture, a clothing rack and stools were brought onstage.
A projection that only used a small portion of the stage and a practical light onstage helped establish a tight alleyway onstage.
As the scene transitioned into the club, the exterior sign was changed to an interior neon sign. The pole and stage was also highlighted. In the span of a singular musical beat the audience traveled inside.
Alex’s loft was on the second level, upstage left. Furniture was hidden behind a SL wall so it could quickly come out.
Thanks to the hard work of our technical director, Jim Zervas, Alex was able to complete the iconic moment where she dumps water on herself. Serving as the Act I finale, we used a projection to highlight this moment.
In the opening number, Alex very quickly transitions from her job at the steel mill to the streets of Pittsburgh. Without leaving the stage we utilized projection, costume and lighting to show her exit to the outside world.
