I went through each step of the design process to create thumbnail sketches, renderings, and a scale model for Animal Farm: The Musical.

After dabbling with different concepts and looks on the thumbnail sketches, I chose to go with a stationary set. The challenges I faced was drafting the set because it was a skill that I had not used and to create set dressings that would fill the space. In the end, I sacrificed a lot of the set to the worry that it would take up too much acting space. 

​

Things I've learned from this experience:

1. Watch out for flat sets! Adding dimensions and levels would help make the story more dynamic. 

2. A 20'- 23' acting space is more than enough. I kept trying to move the barn upstage because I was worried about the acting space, but moving it too far back could be detrimental for sight lines as well.

3. When drafting, you have to indicate individual platforms with Xs. If there is empty spaces on a structure, indicate that space with Xs. 

4. Be original, creative, and adventurous. I feared being wrong so I played it safe--too safe. Start big and subtract, just like in acting.