Inspired by Sarah Ruhl's work in magic realism and the transformative nature of the play, I sought to create a space that could transform in front of an audience, driven by a gesture from the Chorus. Just as the Chorus promote Orlando in how he thinks and feels, they also activate the space, transforming it around him.
The set is an abstract, modern space made of curved, blue-based timber with apertures in the walls and lifts in the floor. The timber floor sides are aged, revealing each century Orlando passes through, only seen when the lifts rise. The set offers a fun space for the characters, with transitions creating dramatic and comedic moments.
Just as the set revolves around Orlando, the lighting design reflects Orlando's emotions, the strength of his conviction and transforms the set to show the time of day, season, weather and passing of time. The lighting is also designed to show how oblivious Orlando is to his surroundings and the lives of others.
Lighting will be used to enhance the idea that the Chorus activate the space, responding as the set transforms to strengthen the comedic moments or magnify the dramatic transition.
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Natasha Fisher
Performance Design / Mechanical Systems
Natasha is a recent graduate from the Bachelor of Design, studying both engineering and performance design, with the intent to draw on her knowledge in robotics to enhance her stage designs.
Her passion for theatre started at a young age, with her roots in the circus. After more than a decade of learning and perfecting her circus skills, her participation in the FIRST Robotics Competition and work on The Witches (2018) as the magician's mentee led her to pursue performance design with an engineering background. Natasha looks forward to being involved with theatre after she graduates.
Orlando