Hubert (Yicheng)
XU

The set design is based on a frame-in-frame idea to create a transformative, imaginative, and illusive space. As the frames shrink, rotate, and break, the five series frames indicate from exterior to interior space, from public to private atmosphere. From the stage-scale frame to the human-scale frame, the series of frames will show Orlando's process of self-identity and let the audience feel inviting and welcome.

The set design offers multiple entries and exits for figures to move. Two ramps at the edges of the second and third frames were made to create height differences to imply a spatial hierarchy in the play. The mirror in the deepest frame portrays self-reflection, self-questioning, and self-identification. Overall, this set design offers many lighting potentials, figure circulations and striking gestures. It will leave a lot of room for the audience to imagine in a poetic way.

The lighting idea for this play is mainly inspired by the visual style of Edward Hopper's paintings. The simplicity of this lighting strategy aims to deliver evocative, poetic and dreamlike visuals for the play. The lighting restricted in frames will indicate different atmospheres of the space and become a device of storytelling. The change of spectrum of light will deliver the mood of figures in an abstract approach.

The golden frames will deliver a positive feeling if being lit in warm light, and become depressive in cool light. The material of backdrops functions as a masking device, which can obscure the light behind the frame, also becomes black if without any lighting source. The grey backdrops can be projected silhouettes of figures in different scales. The frame in the deep of the stage within a mirror echoes the idea of self-identification. Overall, the lighting helps the audience to focus on the storytelling in an abstract, minimal and coherent way.