I am now at the point in my performance process where I am starting to collate props and am attempting to configure a pattern and movement to my piece.  Now that the monologue is written and the concept is fully established, I wish to try to bring page to stage by experimenting within the space, in learning the monologue and in sorting the practicalities of tech and set etc.  To do so, I have had to reconsider some of my artistic choices as they could be difficult to create within the studio space.  The first is the ceiling projection that I wished to have to reflect the night sky that would have been the backdrop for one of the episodes within the monologue and which would come towards the end of the show.  By having this particular part at the end also marks a kind of transition from day to night, start to end.  The difficulty in producing this effect however, lies in the fact that if I had a ceiling projection a) I would need a white drape that would reflect the image clearly to the audience, but in doing so, would cover the lighting rig and so would be problematic in terms of lighting the rest of the show and b) the projector would have to be situated in the centre of the space and so I would have to be aware of its presence to avoid tripping over it and it could potentially provide a distraction for the audience.  This would not be aesthetically pleasing, especially considering that my performance is based around the idea of creating a beautiful, calm and peaceful space. Therefore, I am thinking about potentially lighting a disco ball that could give the entire space a starry glow and would remain in the rigging which would eliminate the need for the projector to be on the floor OR hang fairy lights vertically down from, or crisscrossing, across the rigging.  Again, when I’m in the space I guess I’ll have to see which is the more practical but these are a couple of design ideas I particularly like in terms of visualising and realising this effect:

Hendricks, R. (2009) Untitled.

Bradley, S. (undatedb) Tewin Bury Farm Lighting.

Bradley, S. (undatedb) Ufton Court.

Having the lights draped in this way would also eliminate the need for any fairy lights to be placed down the sides of the space, in front of the curtains, which would reduce the quantity of lights that I’d need as the ceiling lights would give the desired effect instantaneously.

In terms of costume, I was first thinking of wearing a white dress that would signify innocence which plays a key part in my piece, especially considering I’m basing it on childhood.  Secondly, I was considering wearing dungarees as this was a staple piece of clothing that frequented my childhood! However, the difficulty was in finding a pair that were 3/4 rather than shorts or full length which I felt was important to get right as it could make the character seem too old/too young etc.  Plus they were fairly expensive! In keeping with the idea of wearing casual clothing however, instead of something that is more symbolic, I settled for a coral colour dress that is going to be worn with white plimsolls and white frilly socks which will be comfortable to perform in and present the character of a young girl.

References:

Bradley, S. (undateda) Tewin Bury Farm Lighting. [online] Oxfordshire: Oakwood Events Ltd.  Available from http://www.oakwoodevents.co.uk/blog/fairy-lights-at-tewin-bury-farm/[Accessed 2 April 2014].

Bradley, S. (undatedb) Ufton Court. [online] Oxfordshire: Oakwood Events Ltd.  Available from http://www.oakwoodevents.co.uk/venues/ufton-court.php [Accessed 2 April 2014].

Hendricks, R. E. (2009) Untitled. New York, USA: Ruth E Hendricks Photography.  Available from http://rutheh.com/tag/disco-ball/ [Accessed 2 April 2014].