Directing: The Vagina monologues set?

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The Vagina monologues set?

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1996
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Topic: The Vagina monologues set?

Posted By: Maggie Y?
Subject: The Vagina monologues set?
Date Posted: 8/28/06 at 7:44pm

Our local Women's Centre will again be performing The Vagina
Monologues and I will be taking on the responsibility of Director. I am
searching for set ideas. Last year, the actors were on chairs on a couple
of sets of risers, where they sat until it was their part. I would like to
have a set that allows for some interaction with the set pieces but does
not overshadow the power of the voices of the women. We wouldn't have
a large budget. The size of our house is about 600 people; we have a
fairly large proscenium stage. I picture choreographing some of the
segments. Last year, we had a large cast of seventeen actors. I would
like to use around ten, but it will be determined by the quality of the
actors who audition.

I have never seen The Vagina Monologues performed outside of our own
community. Are there suggestions from your production or other
productions you have attended?

Replies:

Posted By: DWolfman
Date Posted: 8/31/06 at 4:55pm

Have never seen or done the show, but this site has some photos for thought:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashiya/sets/72057594093652511/ - http://www.flickr.com/photos/tashiya/sets/72057594093652511/

(don't look if you're allergic to red and black)

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Even a man who is pure of heart...

Posted By: Maggie Y?
Date Posted: 9/01/06 at 5:58pm

Thanks. A lot of websites have information about the playwright and
promotions for the show itself but I find it a real digging exercise to find
actual images of sets. Yeah, that cast was "red"y to do their show.
Always interesting to see. I thought the feminine attire on the line was an
intriguing idea. Not that I'll copy it, but ideas can infiltrate thinking.

TVM Director

Posted By: WSCT
Date Posted: 9/01/06 at 7:21pm

Dear Maggie Y? and the Green Room Groundlings,

This is just my opinion and an example as to how I choose a design theme....do with it what you will

Think about the objective of "VM"? ...Freedom. Freedom of Speech, Freedom of a womans right to choose, freedom of expression....

Wall confine. They put things in places and catagories...boxes...

I would open it up. I like your theaters idea of levels. Use different types of seats- Stools, Comfy "Big Chairs", Sofas, Chase Lounge,School Chairs,Church Benchs, Beach Towels...You get the picture. Then use lighting (S4 36 Deg spots) on each area- warm up the colors (Reds,Ambers, Pinks) and come the opposite way with rich cools (Blues, Aquas and Lavs,)- Change the dimming cues every now and then for each performance area. Allow the actresses the freedom to use their piece of furniture as the wish but let them be open and free...Primal

I hope this helps a bit ...sorry for the spelling I think faster then I type sometimes.

Philly

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Phillip E. Stommel
Artistic Director
West Sacramento Community Theater