Design for entertainment and events is, above all else, a collaborative art. That is it’s greatest strength, and sometimes one of it’s greatest challenges. Work is the result of collective ideas, and it is the duty of a designer to consider all perspectives of everyone involved, spearheaded by their own design skill and training, to create a product that meets everyone’s needs.
I wanted to discuss this aspect of the job, because I was reminded of how important it is just the other day during a meeting for an upcoming production. The project is Forum Theatre’s “The Language Archive,” which will open in Washington, D.C. on February 16, 2011.
The other night was an early production meeting for the show, and I had only read the script several hours earlier, so I had not yet become comfortable enough to offer too many of my own insights yet-but this afforded me a fantastic opportunity to really absorb all the ideas and discussion. The conversation took place between the director, scenic designer, and costume designer, and the majority of the time was used discussing the abstract ideas of the play, not getting to specific scenic or costume questions until the very end, and even then, those elements were only discussed in a conceptual manner.
It was the type of conversation that reinvigorates an artist. Each person in the room had their own vision, but none were fighting to convince the others; they were contributing pieces and helping to create a central idea. The free flowing nature of the discussion, where all ideas were heard, grown, abandoned, and understood provided for an energy that is indescribable.
I have intentionally stayed away from going into specifics of what was discussed-but the following are a few phrases, questions, and ideas to give you an example of the engaging and unique discussion we had:
“Repeating without becoming redundant”
“What does sound look like?”
“What does language look like?”
Decaying leaves and the autumnal nature of life
Safe to say, I am excited for this project, and seeing how it continues to evolve with all the talented people.
