"This means that we have to share some set pieces and stage floor treatments," said Ms. Leight-Bertucci. "Our student design team has met this challenge with creativity and has created something that helps tell each story and is visually interesting."
Senior Caroline Madeira is the set designer for Radium Girls and also worked on lighting and projection design. "The fall play is announced in early August. With the announcement, I gained access to the script and read it while writing notes for both lights and sets," shared Caroline. "Before the school year, we really had no idea what space the show would be in, so it was difficult to come up with ideas, but it has all come together."
"We had a lot of formal and informal meetings when school was beginning to make sure we had a design that would work for both shows," explained Middle School Theatre Director Gina Tomkowich. "We definitely had to make sacrifices and compromise because the two shows are so different."
"Time is of the essence," said Ms. Leight-Bertucci. "Be sure and leave some spots as you paint. That's how we have texture. You want to have variation."
"During the design process, Caroline and I met with Theatre Director Dan Clay, Hon., and Ms. Tomkowich to discuss the needs of each show," said Ms. Leight-Bertucci. "Caroline has worked hard to creatively meet the set demands of each show. It has been challenging, but it's an opportunity that designers don't always get."
COVID-related supply chain issues, a lumber shortage, and staying on budget also had to be considered.
"We did run out of bricks halfway through the projection screen construction, and when we went to order more, the shipping was $800, or something incredibly absurd," explained Caroline. "We ended up solving the problem by having the assistant technical director drive to New Jersey to pick more up. COVID has made expecting materials through mail very difficult."
The tech crew also used projections to add context to the scenes. "Because the set stays the same the entire show besides the furniture," said Caroline. "During reporter scenes, newspapers corresponding to the event will appear. Some of them were even custom-designed by our technicians with the exact headlines the reporters mention."
Once the curtain closed on Radium Girls, the tech crew scrambled to strike the set to get ready for the setup of Little Mermaid Jr.
"Our plan is to take the brick off of the two windows, and break the window panes on one of them to give a shipwreck appearance," explained Caroline. "The other one will have shelves added to it to become Ariel's grotto. The projection screen will be flown out, and then the addition of two six-foot curved staircases will be added to create the rest of the environments, including Prince Eric's ship, Prince Eric's palace, and the general ocean scenes."
After holding the spring performances on the Clark Campus Green, students were excited to be back on the indoor stage. "It is nice to be back in our amazing facilities," said Ms. Leight-Bertucci. "It is so great to be able to use our full theatrical setup for lights, sound, and the stage."
Radium Girls performances were Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7.