Thursday, August 30, 2012

Shakespeare Rep

The Taming of The Shrew & The Tamer Tamed

Arizona Repertory Theatre at the University of Arizona- 2010
Properties Master: Katelin Ashcraft




In the spring of 2010 and the last semester of my senior year I was the Properties Master for the Shakespeare Rep which preformed the Shakespearian favorite, Taming of the Shrew as well as the "sequel" by John Fletcher, The Tamer Tamed. The pairing of these two shows gave audiences a unique experience that refreshed our memory of the classic version while asking viewers to contemplate the enduring questions of the original in Fletcher's more feminist story. Our production of The Tamer Tamed featured a "war of genders," literally and for some, a resolution to one of Shakespeare greatest works. 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The Diary of Anne Frank

The Diary of Anne Frank

Arizona Repertory Theatre at The University of Arizona- 2009
Scenic Designer- Katelin Ashcraft
Senior Thesis 


In the fall of my senior year I was the Scenic Designer for The Diary of Anne Frank, directed by Harold Dixon and Jeremy Selim. Harold and I felt very strongly about doing the show in the round versus a thrust or proscenium where this show is most commonly done. We really wanted that feeling of absolute isolation in our re-creation the famous attic space. We even went so far as to keep the actors on stage throughout the entire show, even during intermission, to further demonstrate the characters struggles and sense of entrapment. The entire production team also fully committed to the overall idea of realism. Our Lighting Designer, Rachel Minor made full used of practicals and paid close attention to detail when adding the chestnut tree gobo to illuminate the attic, and the realistic flickers of light that lit up the stove. Thanks to Sound Designer Carson Scott, Properties Master Timothy Smith and Master Carpenter Allen Shapiro, all other practicals on the set worked as well; from the period bakelite radio to the running water; the music box to the real live cat, Mouschi! Our Water Closet was the only exception to our attempt at complete realism, to the great disappointment of the actors.

My original design was inspired by a charcoal rendering that I did a year earlier of a spiral staircase. The set itself fans out around a central point, the WC, and gradually winds its way up to the attic. Like a staircase to nowhere the design attempted to evoke both despair and hope as it reaches up to the sky, the heavens, and freedom.


Leading Ladies

Leading Ladies

Arizona Repertory Theatre at the University of Arizona-2009
Properties Master- Katelin Ashcraft


Leading Ladies is one of my absolute favorite shows to date. This riot of a comedy was a joy to watch in rehearsals and was constantly changing based on what the actors could come up with. This show was a first for me in terms of creating props that were essential to the more physical humor that carried the show. Everything from an exploding trunk of clothes to flipping on and over furniture. This was also the production that really launched my interest in upholstery; all of the furniture you see on stage I re-upholstered myself.

Company


COMPANY

Arizona Repertory Theatre at The University of Arizona- 2008
Assistant Scenic Designer and Properties Master- Katelin Ashcraft 


My first experience as a Properties Master for a mainstage show also turned out to be a musical. This show presented the exciting challenge of creating five separate apartments in New York City, set during the 1970's. Each couple's personalities demanded very different living spaces and these apartment sets help add an interior warmth that contrasted with the abstract nature of the larger scenic design. I also had the title of Assistant Scenic Designer on this show which allowed me the chance to work alongside Scenic Designer Sally Day. Below are some of the draftings that I created for the church pulpit along with the realized design.




Musical Number: "Getting Married Today"


Realized Pulpit

Summertime


Summertime 

Workshop Production at the University of Arizona-2008
Scenic Designer- Katelin Ashcraft 


In the spring of my sophomore year of college, I was the Scenic Designer for a workshop production of Summertime, written by Charles Mee. Since it was a low budget workshop I was not only the designer but also the Charge Artist and Properties Master. This was my first realized design in college and the design team and I were very proud of the visual feast we were able to create to compliment this very quirky show.

Sideways Stories From Wayside School

Sideways Stories From Wayside School

Educational Theatre Company (ETC) at The University of Arizona- 2007
Assistant Scenic Designer & Properties Master- Katelin Ashcraft


As a kid I remember reading Sideways Stories From Wayside School and was thrilled to bring it to life in ETC's stage adaptation. The show opened at the U of A but toured around southern Arizona in elementary schools and other venues hopefully inspiring new generations of readers and theatre goers. Audience all got a kick out of the one-of-a-kind interments that I made as Properties Master. They all had silly names like, "Snorple" and "Plickerwacker."