3. Overall VisionOverall Vision
Proscenium TheatreProscenium Theatre
Set will feature a middle-class family homeSet will feature a middle-class family home
Warm, inviting, and traditional atmosphereWarm, inviting, and traditional atmosphere
All three scenes take place centrally in the living space, butAll three scenes take place centrally in the living space, but
doors will be present to represent the front door that is oftendoors will be present to represent the front door that is often
used and the door to Terry’s officeused and the door to Terry’s office
The set will also include an embellished kitchen and diningThe set will also include an embellished kitchen and dining
area to show Nora and Terry’s attention to detail andarea to show Nora and Terry’s attention to detail and
appearanceappearance
4. SetSet
Leather couches are center stage with a coffee table in the middleLeather couches are center stage with a coffee table in the middle
Fireplace is lit to add warmth to the sceneFireplace is lit to add warmth to the scene
Bookshelves and framed pictures indicate a family lifestyle. LargeBookshelves and framed pictures indicate a family lifestyle. Large
portrait of Nora and Terry depict a “perfect” lifeportrait of Nora and Terry depict a “perfect” life
Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree indicates the holidayChristmas decorations and a Christmas tree indicates the holiday
seasonseason
The home is traditionally decorated with an impeccable attentionThe home is traditionally decorated with an impeccable attention
to detailto detail
Essentially an open space, but full of character without beingEssentially an open space, but full of character without being
clutteredcluttered
5.
6. Kitchen/Dining SpaceKitchen/Dining Space
The kitchen and dining area is rarely used but is an accent to the living space because it displaysThe kitchen and dining area is rarely used but is an accent to the living space because it displays
Nora and Terry’s exquisite taste despite whether or not they could afford itNora and Terry’s exquisite taste despite whether or not they could afford it
Luxurious products such as a commercial refrigerator,
granite countertops, and and cherry cabinets are all status
symbols. It portrays a “well-off” or stable family
7. Main SetMain Set
Although the play takes place in Nora and Terry’s condo, the living room isAlthough the play takes place in Nora and Terry’s condo, the living room is
seen as the focal point of the playseen as the focal point of the play
The color of each element such as
the furniture and paint color greatly
affects the mood and style of the
play
This picture accurately depicts the “traditional” living space
we want to capture
8. Main Set, ContinuedMain Set, Continued
Specific details brings out the character of the Nora and
Terry’s home. It also proves the importance of keeping up
with appearances
The furniture are traditional without looking dated. It allows the
audience to establish the locale and period of the play
A lot of different elements such as the lamps, portrait,
bookshelf, and even coat rack allows the play to be
recognized as realistic theatre
10. Opening ActOpening Act
We would utilizeWe would utilize “Straw Wash” in“Straw Wash” in
the opening act to convey thethe opening act to convey the
'warmth' of the household,'warmth' of the household,
characteristic of a typical homecharacteristic of a typical home
11. IntensityIntensity
We would utilize moderate intensityWe would utilize moderate intensity
lighting in order to maintain thelighting in order to maintain the
realistic image of an American home.realistic image of an American home.
12. ColorColor
We would utilize very warm coloring toWe would utilize very warm coloring to
create the sense of an inviting environmentcreate the sense of an inviting environment
that would assist in creating an image of thethat would assist in creating an image of the
perfect home.perfect home.
13. Color, ContinuedColor, Continued
Dim, dramatic lack of color for confrontational scenes: Raj Patel’s visit and hisDim, dramatic lack of color for confrontational scenes: Raj Patel’s visit and his
conversation with Nora. Also during the tense conversation between Nora and Terryconversation with Nora. Also during the tense conversation between Nora and Terry
after her encounter with Raj.after her encounter with Raj.
Dramatic lack of color for confrontational scenes
16. DirectionDirection
We would utilize lighting that is evenlyWe would utilize lighting that is evenly
distributed across the stage in order todistributed across the stage in order to
maintain a realistic and relatable set.maintain a realistic and relatable set.
17. Lighting TechniquesLighting Techniques
Front lighting and back lighting to prevent shadowing,Front lighting and back lighting to prevent shadowing,
which could ruin the naturalistic effectwhich could ruin the naturalistic effect
18. Lighting Techniques, ContinuedLighting Techniques, Continued
Visibility: highlighting the characters on a dark stage to bring focus onVisibility: highlighting the characters on a dark stage to bring focus on
action.action.
20. Costuming OverviewCostuming Overview
In order to exemplify the overall mood of our production ofIn order to exemplify the overall mood of our production of
the play, the costuming displays a modern version of athe play, the costuming displays a modern version of a
traditional American style.traditional American style.
This theme is especially displayed through the costuming ofThis theme is especially displayed through the costuming of
Nora, Terry, and their childrenNora, Terry, and their children
Although the play is set in modern times, the costumingAlthough the play is set in modern times, the costuming
reflects the classic/traditional structure of Nora and Terryreflects the classic/traditional structure of Nora and Terry’s’s
householdhousehold
21. Nora(Act 1)Nora(Act 1)
In order to help illustrate the image of Nora as somewhat of aIn order to help illustrate the image of Nora as somewhat of a “trophy wife”, we dressed Nora“trophy wife”, we dressed Nora
in a very elegant day dress, paired with a nice fur coat and embellished boots. With jewelryin a very elegant day dress, paired with a nice fur coat and embellished boots. With jewelry
and a lovely bag to compliment her dress, she is given a very classy look that pairs nicely withand a lovely bag to compliment her dress, she is given a very classy look that pairs nicely with
the classic American style of the whole production.the classic American style of the whole production.
22. Terry(Act 1)Terry(Act 1)
Although Terry is a young banker, since it is a Saturday, we styled him with aAlthough Terry is a young banker, since it is a Saturday, we styled him with a
look that is slightly more casual. Since Terry is already in the home, he is notlook that is slightly more casual. Since Terry is already in the home, he is not
wearing a jacket.wearing a jacket.
23. Pete(Act 1)Pete(Act 1)
We styled Pete very similarly to Terry in the first scene due to the fact that sinceWe styled Pete very similarly to Terry in the first scene due to the fact that since
they have been good friends since college, they would more than likely havethey have been good friends since college, they would more than likely have
similar styles. While keeping in mind the nature of Chicago winters, we gave Petesimilar styles. While keeping in mind the nature of Chicago winters, we gave Pete
a style that reflects a young professional on the weekends.a style that reflects a young professional on the weekends.
24. Iris(Act 1)Iris(Act 1)
We styled Iris in a simple polo and jeans with an apron based on the work thatWe styled Iris in a simple polo and jeans with an apron based on the work that
she is involved in. Although it is cold outside, since Iris is inside the home, ashe is involved in. Although it is cold outside, since Iris is inside the home, a
jacket is not necessary.jacket is not necessary.
25. Kristine(Act 1)Kristine(Act 1)
Because Kristine seems to be less focused on her physical appearance inBecause Kristine seems to be less focused on her physical appearance in
relationship with her career accomplishments, we styled her with a slightly morerelationship with her career accomplishments, we styled her with a slightly more
modest flare in comparison to Nora. However, she is still a woman in her earlymodest flare in comparison to Nora. However, she is still a woman in her early
thirties so we gave her a look that would still match her age.thirties so we gave her a look that would still match her age.
26. Marta(Act 1)Marta(Act 1)
Because Marta has gone ice skating with the kids, we dressed her very casuallyBecause Marta has gone ice skating with the kids, we dressed her very casually
but warm since she is enduring the cold Chicago winter.but warm since she is enduring the cold Chicago winter.
27. Max(Act 1)Max(Act 1)
Since Max went ice skating with Marta and his sisters, we dressed him in aSince Max went ice skating with Marta and his sisters, we dressed him in a
very warm ensemble, including snow boots a fur-lined parka.very warm ensemble, including snow boots a fur-lined parka.
28. Macey(Act 1)Macey(Act 1)
Just like her mom, Macey is styled to be super stylish. Although she is wellJust like her mom, Macey is styled to be super stylish. Although she is well
bundled for the Chicago winter, Macey is given vivid colors and styles thatbundled for the Chicago winter, Macey is given vivid colors and styles that
Nora would approve of.Nora would approve of.
29. Skyler(Act 1)Skyler(Act 1)
Just like her younger sister, Skyler is styled similarly to her mom, veryJust like her younger sister, Skyler is styled similarly to her mom, very
elegant(for a 6-year old) and very warm in order to face the cold Chicagoelegant(for a 6-year old) and very warm in order to face the cold Chicago
winter on an ice skating trip.winter on an ice skating trip.
30. Raj PatelRaj Patel
Because Raj is not in the comfort of his own home or that of a close friend, weBecause Raj is not in the comfort of his own home or that of a close friend, we
styled Raj a bit more formally. Keeping in mind that he is also a youngstyled Raj a bit more formally. Keeping in mind that he is also a young
professional, we styled him in nice clothing that would match his status.professional, we styled him in nice clothing that would match his status.
31. DirectorDirector
We chose to work with the script,We chose to work with the script, DollhouseDollhouse by Rebecca Gilman because we felt the plot was soby Rebecca Gilman because we felt the plot was so
relatable and we wanted to take something so current and depict it onstage, hoping others would berelatable and we wanted to take something so current and depict it onstage, hoping others would be
just as excited about the product as we were.just as excited about the product as we were.
The spine of the play is when the protagonist, Nora stands up for herself in the final argument withThe spine of the play is when the protagonist, Nora stands up for herself in the final argument with
Terry. Nora’s bravery in the last scene proved that she no longer wanted to be a “doll” in Terry’sTerry. Nora’s bravery in the last scene proved that she no longer wanted to be a “doll” in Terry’s
world, but to simply be herself. She realized although she loved Terry, her sacrificial role onlyworld, but to simply be herself. She realized although she loved Terry, her sacrificial role only
contributed to her putting away her desires which slowly masked who she really was. This brings uscontributed to her putting away her desires which slowly masked who she really was. This brings us
to the point of the second major theme, appearance can be deceiving. Nora’s constant “happy” andto the point of the second major theme, appearance can be deceiving. Nora’s constant “happy” and
“perfect” character disguised the lies and secrets she was holding inside. It was not until the second“perfect” character disguised the lies and secrets she was holding inside. It was not until the second
spine of the play, the uncovering of secrets, was Nora able to take that burden off her chest and trulyspine of the play, the uncovering of secrets, was Nora able to take that burden off her chest and truly
be happy.be happy.
In order to help illuminate the spine, we chose to go with the naturalism style. We want to keep theIn order to help illuminate the spine, we chose to go with the naturalism style. We want to keep the
production as honest and as close to reality as possible. We believe events such as those inproduction as honest and as close to reality as possible. We believe events such as those in DollhouseDollhouse
truly exists in current day America and there is no better style than naturalism to give spectators atruly exists in current day America and there is no better style than naturalism to give spectators a
“slice-of-life”“slice-of-life”
Two ruling metaphors, (1) the portrait of Nora and Terry as well as (2) The dollhouse helpsTwo ruling metaphors, (1) the portrait of Nora and Terry as well as (2) The dollhouse helps
implement the concept. We took the two metaphors and strived to be straight forward with ourimplement the concept. We took the two metaphors and strived to be straight forward with our
vision, tying in all the element of theatre as well as incorporating the themes and metaphors. Wevision, tying in all the element of theatre as well as incorporating the themes and metaphors. We
stayed true to the the playwright, Rebecca Gilman’s vision and kept her work as is. Hopefully,stayed true to the the playwright, Rebecca Gilman’s vision and kept her work as is. Hopefully,
others will appreciate the piece it as much as we appreciated creating the artothers will appreciate the piece it as much as we appreciated creating the art
32. CastingCasting
Nora Helmer …………………………………………………………...….Kate Noelle HolmesNora Helmer …………………………………………………………...….Kate Noelle Holmes
Iris……………………………………………………….Julia Elizabeth Scarlett Louis-DreyfusIris……………………………………………………….Julia Elizabeth Scarlett Louis-Dreyfus
Terry Helmer………………………………………………………….Edward Harrison NortonTerry Helmer………………………………………………………….Edward Harrison Norton
Pete……………………………………………………………………..….Michael Carlyle HallPete……………………………………………………………………..….Michael Carlyle Hall
Kristine Linde…………………………………………………………….Bryce Dallas HowardKristine Linde…………………………………………………………….Bryce Dallas Howard
Marta…………………………………………………………………….Elizabeth Judson ShueMarta…………………………………………………………………….Elizabeth Judson Shue
Raj…………………………………………………………………………..……..Kunal NayyarRaj…………………………………………………………………………..……..Kunal Nayyar
Each character was taken into consideration and a lot of thought was put into deciding the cast ofEach character was taken into consideration and a lot of thought was put into deciding the cast of
DollhouseDollhouse. We feel confident that these actors/actresses will carry out their respected roles to. We feel confident that these actors/actresses will carry out their respected roles to
perfectly depict the characters of Rebecca Gilman’s scriptperfectly depict the characters of Rebecca Gilman’s script
