Theatrical Craft
I began developing my personal design language and problem solving approach in my first career as a theatrical props and costumes artisan and developer. While visual design principles have always played a major role in output, my process to uncover the driving force behind form and function is truly rooted in the scrappy nature of crafting for the stage and screen. That is, finding the balance between impactful storytelling and producing something within the constraints of cheap, fast, and/or good.
Here are some examples of my physical creation process and final output.
Theatrical Craft
I began developing my personal design language and problem solving approach in my first career as a theatrical props and costumes artisan and developer. While visual design principles have always played a major role in output, my process to uncover the driving force behind form and function is truly rooted in the scrappy nature of crafting for the stage and screen. That is, finding the balance between impactful storytelling and producing something within the constraints of cheap, fast, and/or good.
Here are some examples of physical design process and final output.
Mold making & casting
Puppets
Gigantes
For this outdoor production of Carmen, the costume designer envisioned processional giants of the famous Toreadors. They needed to be lightweight, weather resistant, and still showcase the faces of the singers that powered them. I sculpted an initial base out of foam and built out different features with clay. This became the mold for the papier-mâché faces that were mounted on bamboo poles and backpack harnesses.
glass molds
John Adams Building Doors
In 2013, I had the distinct pleasure of working with the Washington Glass School and Fireart Glass to help re-create glass versions of Lee Lawrie’s bronze bas relief sculptures on the John Adams Building at the Library of Congress. I worked alongside two other artisans to make molds of the original doors that could be sent off for casting. It was a challenge to find and work with a product that could not damage the priceless doors and still create accurate molds despite a blistering DC summer. This is possibly the sweatiest, most physically challenging and most likely the longest lasting project I’ll ever work on. I’m very proud I was able to be a small part of it. More information about the doors can be found here.
Hand puppets
Baby Dinosaurs
Discover the Dinosaurs was a national tour full of animatronic and puppet dinosaurs aimed at creating a fun atmosphere for families of young children. My contribution was a small, baby dino hand puppet that wouldn't be scary for the littlest attendees. I sculpted it out of clay before creating a plaster mold that could create multiple copies out of latex. Each copy was airbrushed and given a harness to hide the human hand that controlled movement.
Puppets
Gigantes
For this outdoor production of Carmen, the costume designer envisioned processional giants of the famous Toreadors. They needed to be lightweight, weather resistant, and still showcase the faces of the singers that powered them. I sculpted an initial base out of foam and built out different features with clay. This became the mold for the papier-mâché faces that were mounted on bamboo poles and backpack harnesses.
Glass Molds
John Adams Building Doors
In 2013, I had the distinct pleasure of working with the Washington Glass School and Fireart Glass to help re-create glass versions of Lee Lawrie’s bronze bas relief sculptures on the John Adams Building at the Library of Congress. I worked alongside two other artisans to make molds of the original doors that could be sent off for casting. It was a challenge to find and work with a product that could not damage the priceless doors and still create accurate molds despite a blistering DC summer. This is possibly the sweatiest, most physically challenging and most likely the longest lasting project I’ll ever work on. I’m very proud I was able to be a small part of it. More information about the doors can be found here.
Hand puppets
Baby Dinosaurs
Discover the Dinosaurs was a national tour full of animatronic and puppet dinosaurs aimed at creating a fun atmosphere for families of young children. My contribution was a small, baby dino hand puppet that wouldn't be scary for the littlest attendees. I sculpted it out of clay before creating a plaster mold that could create multiple copies out of latex. Each copy was airbrushed and given a harness to hide the human hand that controlled movement.
Mascots & costumes
Mascot
Mew
I created a 3D pattern for Mew's head with cardboard, paper scraps, and tape. This pattern was traced onto the high density foam that eventually became the base. Heat treated plastic created the eyes, nose, and mouth. Fur was draped and patterned over the final shape. The performer could see through a screen in the mouth and additional ventilation was provided through the nose and holes under the fur.
Dancing Puppets
Rod & Penny Puppets
Move to the Music was a musical review filled with familiar Nick Jr characters. Rod and Penny had a step dancing routine that relied on talented actors that could control heads, hands, and feet. My job was not only recreating adorable characters but also ensuring that the controls wouldn't harm the actors show after show. Custom harnesses redistributed weight and bike break controls made eyes blink and mouths sing.
Costumes
Dance Costumes
Sketch Mythology was an interactive combination of an artist's studio and a dance performance. Designing costumes for a nude performance is actually more difficult than it sounds. I created costumes that accentuated the movement of the dancers and transformed them into mythical characters.
Mascot
Mew
I created a 3D pattern for Mew's head with cardboard, paper scraps, and tape. This pattern was traced onto the high density foam that eventually became the base. Heat treated plastic created the eyes, nose, and mouth. Fur was draped and patterned over the final shape. The performer could see through a screen in the mouth and additional ventilation was provided through the nose and holes under the fur.
Dancing Puppets
Rod & Penny Puppets
Move to the Music was a musical review filled with familiar Nick Jr characters. Rod and Penny had a step dancing routine that relied on talented actors that could control heads, hands, and feet. My job was not only recreating adorable characters but also ensuring that the controls wouldn't harm the actors show after show. Custom harnesses redistributed weight and bike break controls made eyes blink and mouths sing.
Costumes
Dance Costumes
Sketch Mythology was an interactive combination of an artist's studio and a dance performance. Designing costumes for a nude performance is actually more difficult than it sounds. I created costumes that accentuated the movement of the dancers and transformed them into mythical characters.
Props
Set Dressing
The Guard
As part of the scenic and props team for The Guard world premiere at historic Ford's theatre, I recreated everything from the works of Rembrandt to his studio. I retouched high resolution images of his famous paintings to accommodate for stage lighting and crafted frames from both antique and new building materials. For his studio, I conducted extensive research to ensure that the paint colors and materials mixed onstage were accurate but not harmful to the actors.
Props
Driving Miss Daisy
The stage production of the well known movie required removing barriers to connect with the characters and story. In lieu of building a theater sized car, my team built and upholstered car seats reminiscent of the era. I also put my book binding skills to work and recreated a handwriting book that could stand up to repeat performances.
Set Dressing
The Guard
As part of the scenic and props team for The Guard world premiere at historic Ford's theatre, I recreated everything from the works of Rembrandt to his studio. I retouched high resolution images of his famous paintings to accommodate for stage lighting and crafted frames from both antique and new building materials. For his studio, I conducted extensive research to ensure that the paint colors and materials mixed onstage were accurate but not harmful to the actors.
Props
Driving Miss Daisy
The stage production of the well known movie required removing barriers to connect with the characters and story. In lieu of building a theater sized car, my team built and upholstered car seats reminiscent of the era. I also put my book binding skills to work and recreated a handwriting book that could stand up to repeat performances.
Floral Design
Flowers
Floral Designs
Having grown up in a flower shop, flowers are still one of my favorite ways to express creativity. I've arranged flowers for Valentine's day to bridal bouquets to memorials to floral crowns and more. Flowers are an especially unique challenge due to their limited and varied physical constraints yet high reward for all of the senses.
Flowers
Floral Designs
Having grown up in a flower shop, flowers are still one of my favorite ways to express creativity. I've arranged flowers for Valentine's day to bridal bouquets to memorials to floral crowns and more. Flowers are an especially unique challenge due to their limited and varied physical constraints yet high reward for all of the senses.