From the desk of the set designer

A few words from the Rep’s head of design, Gary C. Hoff, about his thoughts on the set for The Crucible….

Though set during this terrible moment in our history, [The Crucible] speaks to much bigger and far reaching issues—issues that we are still grappling with today, in America and across the world.  These larger issues are what influence our design for The Crucible.

            I felt it was important to capture the essence of the Puritan world of Salem, but in no way try to reproduce it.  When the audience looks at the set for The Crucible, I hope that get a strong sense of the world of Salem, but are also able to grasp the bigger picture.  It is important that the set visually represents what this play is saying about the human condition.

            The final design consists of a large center playing area raised 16” off the stage floor of Polk Theatre and cantilevered over the lowered orchestra pit.  The area will be covered in rough hewn lumber and will appear to be floating above the stage and hanging into space.  On either side of the main acting area are large walls with doors and windows that connect to the main acting area by bridges.  Upstage is a smaller platform area that also connects to the main acting area by a bridge.  Each of the four scenes in the production will be augmented by an additional scenic piece that will convey the particular location of the scene in a very simple, stylized way.  Furniture and properties will be kept to a bare minimum.  I hope that this will convey how the people of Salem, though surrounded by their fellow townspeople, were also very much alone and exposed to scrutiny.  During the course of the production, as the society of Salem begins to break down, so will the set.  The once strictly regiment walls will begin to deteriorate until we reach the final chilling moment.

            I hope the audience will be moved to think about the larger issues presented by this production.  As it has been said, if we do not learn from our past mistakes, we are doomed to keep reliving them.

Click here for Gary’s Crucible set rendering.

 

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