The Bald Soprano
(2025)

As the Scenic Designer for CalArts’ student production of "The Bald Soprano", I worked closely with the director to translate Ionesco’s absurdist text into a playful yet unsettling physical environment within the smaller 'Coffeehouse Theater' venue. Beginning with visual research and conceptual sketches, I developed a visual story that emphasized repetition, fluidity, and mundaenity.
A major design challenge was the need for the set to be highly modular: the production shared the same performance space with the concurrent show, "Property Rites", requiring a complete changeover in under 20 minutes each night. This constraint shaped the design from the outset, leading to lightweight, mobile scenic elements that could be quickly reconfigured without sacrificing the integral elements. I moved from early sketching into developing 3D models and renderings, then into detailed drafting. Throughout the process, I coordinated with the production team to ensure the design was achievable within our budget and schedule, overseeing the scenic build from load-in through strike. I also executed the scenic painting, using intentionally heightened color to reinforce the world’s sense of instability. Every scenic choice was made to support the rhythm of the comedy while visually underscoring the play’s underlying critique of social norms and language.