Dollhouse Powerpoint

1. DOLLHOUSE
BY REBECCA GILMAN

2. DIRECTOR
Guilermo Romero

3. CAST
• Amy Adams/Nora Helmer: Plays Nora because is troubled character that has
to play to distinct personalities adept to what her husband wants and who
she truly feels. Examples of her persona would be Junebug/Enchanted and
her deciveness is potrayed well in American Hustle
• Jon Hamm/Terry Helmer: Terry is a sturdy character who is very keen about
appearances. He business-like demeanor is genuine even at home. His
persona is well exhibited in the series Mad Men

4. • Kate Winslet/ Kristine Linde: Kristine is a very mature character who has
grasped the danger of money. She is the only character who feels the need
to be honest. Example of her persona is exhibited in Blue Valentine
• Joaqin Phoenix/Pete: Pete has a sense of humor and is more compassionate
towards others, especially Nora. Examples of his persona would be Her/Walk
the Line
• Raj Patel/ John Ortiz: Raj is not hesitant to act cruel as he has been
mistreated all his life. His blackmailing of Nora shows he can instill fear when
needed. Example of his persona could be seen in American Gangster or
Public Enemies.

5. THEME
• The theme of the play should reflect the burden of money. Throughout the
play money is the driving factor. Nora has purchasing issues, Kristine is
seeking employment, Terry’s career revolves around lending money, and Raj
Patel is in need of funding. Nora and Raj have this void that they believe can
be filled with money. Ironically, the lives of millions of people are jeopardized
by Raj’s inability to raise the necessary funds. Kristine is the only character
that realizes spending money on frivolous trips does not indicate one is truly
living.
• Another theme that the play exhibits is the illusion of perfect home. The
audience realizes that their condo is really what Nora has fabricated to
please Terry. Everything is made to satisfy society’s perspective of high class.

6. STAGE
• In a proscenium stage like the Wortham Theatre. The lighting will be a
combination of white and light yellow so as to give a welcoming feel. The
furniture is not to expensive and should exhibit a huge Christmas Tree.

7. CHARACTER MANNERISMS'
• Kate Winslet is superb in playing conflicted characters and can be strong
willed. Nora will continously display a notion of doubt and hesitation in
scenes like attempting to stall Terry from reading his mail and arguments she
has with Raj. Winslet’s talent in argumentive scenes will be displayed when
confronting Terry.
• For the most part Raj will be unsympathetic and unhesitant. He is a very
intelligent character and evokes no emotion until confronted by Kristine

8. MOTIF
• The ruling metaphor for Dollhouse would be the Christmas tree. The
Christmas tree should be very well ornamented, shimmering, and huge. In
fact it size should be big enough so that it towers the surrounding presents
around it. The reason for this is to convey of overdoing what is necessary to
the extent it undervalues what is truly important, the gifts. In relation to the
theme of appearances, I would have the tree look great in the beginning,
and as Nora begins to fall apart I would have the tree look worse as time
progresses as well, and emphasize how Terry says that the tree cannot be up
after New Years

9. SET DESIGN
Katherine Tonner

10. TIME PERIOD
• The play takes place in 2004 this is alluded in the play with references to the
Enron scandal, and also brand names that are still around today, such as
target, pottery barn, etc.
• I plan to make the time period apparent, through use of common day attire,
with the help of my costume designer, furniture distinctive of that time
period, and would also include some electrical appliances/technologies
that would indicate to the audience that is in the present era.
• The play also takes place during Christmas time, I would make the Christmas
tree that is in the corner of the room with the presents come to life and
become a dynamic centerpiece for the stage. I believe that the fact that it
is the holidays helps set the scene and develop the plot.

11. LOCALE
• Dollhouse takes plays in a middle class white families home. During the play
the characters do not leave the home. There is an open floor plan, a kitchen,
living area, study, fireplace, and the main room is filled with portraits indicating
a typical American family.
• I would create a “Perfect” set that would play on
the title “ A Doll House” which would represent
the unreliability of appearances.
• The play is set in the families living room and study. I use a few big items that
would be typical of a home for the scene design. I would use these few big
pieces incorporated with how nice they are, how they are set up, and the
costume design to establish that we are in a ordinary suburban families home.

12. REALISTIC THEATRE
• Dollhouse is an example of realistic theatre!
• Realistic theatre calls for setting that’s look very much like their counterparts
in real life, but does not call for a complete reproduction.
• I would chose to use the key parts of home; a center couch where a lot of
the action happens, the table in front (with the un-necessary nice
candlesticks on top), and the Christmas tree with presents in the corner. I
would also off to the side, somewhat secluded, I would set a desk with a
laptop for Terry’s Study.
• This way I am not entirely duplicating a suburban home and every detail, but
choosing certain objects that really give meaning to the set and help the
audience understand the setting and characters involved.

13. ENVIRONMENT AND MOOD/STYLE
• The scene designer is responsible for the “visual extravangazas”.
• They are also responsible for helping to create the mood and set the tone of
the play.
• The mood is warm, welcoming and family friendly, but there is also a feeling
of being in a glass house because the “doll house” is built upon
appearances.

14. DESIGN CONCEPT CENTRAL
IMAGE• The design concept that I would create
for this play would be the idea that there
home is “A Doll House”. It would
emphasize the immaculateness and the
“nice things” in this not so typical
suburban middle class families home.
• The central image that I would choose is
the Christmas Tree. The tree mean as a
festive decorative object I believe
symbolizes Nora’s position as something
that is pleasing to look at and adds charm
to the household. I would have the tree
look great in the beginning, and as Nora
begins to fall apart I would have the tree
look worse as time progresses as well, and
emphasize how Terry says that the tree
cannot be up after New Years.

15. COSTUMES Kyra James
Kyra James

16. NORA HELMER
I chose a simple
sweater and pair of
pants as the ideal
clothing for Nora
because it’s
comfortable for staying
at home with the kids
or running to the store.
It doesn’t look overly
expensive but it still
looks fashionable and
put together.

17. TERRY HELMER
• Terry shows the
personality of a stern
business man. He
seems to be a man
always found in a suit
or a button down
around the house. The
suit also represents his
new promotion and
being in charge. It isn’t
flashy or expensive,
but it is still professional
and put together.

18. PETEA sweater with
khakis or jeans
would be the
ideal costume
for Pete
because he is
usually at the
Helmer’s house
for a casual
reason. This out
outfit choice is
relaxed but still
presentable
since he is a
doctor.

19. KRISTINE
LINDE
This outfit suits Kristine because it is still a
bit professional looking, but casual.
Nora portrays her as very intelligent and
hardworking from her college stories.
The cardigan sweater and flats kind of
shows her business side. The pink also
gives of her kind personality.

20. MARTAThe clothing choice
for Marta is very
simple and easy since
she spends all her
time taking care of
the children. It also
isn’t dressy in any way
since she probably
does not have that
kind of money. Her
clothes would not
look very new.

21. RAJ
PATEL
From past stories about Raj he
doesn’t seem to be some one
entirely into status from looks or
money. He is focused on anything
related to his science which is
why is clothing is very plain and
simple. The lack of color may also
help the audience notice him as
an antagonist.

22. PICTURES: HM.COM,
PIXABAY.COM

23. Brenda Kpnovi

24. VISIBILITY
Depending on
the size of the
stage set, having
Ellipsoidal
Reflector
Spotlight and
border lights are
useful as you
can reach a lot
of areas on
stage, or even
the whole stage
without having
so many side
lights. The lights
should be bright
as you want the
stage to be
illuminated to its
fullest potential.

25. MOOD AND
STYLE
Setting the mood and style
with lights can help the
audience and appreciate
different scenes. For
example, When Pete kissed
Nora, the lighting call soften
to a more yellowish light.
When Nora is telling Kristine
about her husband’s abuse
of drugs and who she got
the money from, there can
be a glowing red light so it
can show the damning
effect. There can also be
table lamps and standing
lamps on the set to make
the lighting more of a effect
as the setting is in their
house. Figuring out the level
off each mood and style
lighting is also key.
Another way to set the
mood and style
through lighting would
be to show the
different times.
Something like a
sunray or night sky can
help, especially when
they had the New
Year’s Eve party, which
was in the evening.

26. Color: For example,
When Terry was berating
Nora at the end, the stage
lighting color could turn
fiery red as it was a heated
and climactic scene. Or
the scene with Raj and
Kristine finally seeing each
other after years and
admitting their feelings to
each other, the stage can
be filled with a midnight
blue color. You can use
color scrollers to get color
lighting. Color, like intensity,
can establish time and
place.
Intensity:
Knowing whether and
when to dim the lights
in certain scenes such
as when Raj and
Kristine see each other
at the New Years Party.
The light would dim in
other parts of the stage
and get brighter and
more centered on
them for more focus.
Or when Raj and Nora
as talking when he
comes asking her for
money. You Use
electronic stage light
dimmers to dim lights.

27. Distribution: Positioning each light on
the right place and angle on stage
makes a play better. Such as the
lighting during the New Years Eve
party.
Movement: Even though positioning is
also a important part of lighting, you
have to know how move with the
actors and actresses also. A good
example is the scene when Terry finds
out about Nora’s betrayal, she
becomes frantic and moves at a fast
pace around the stage. The lighting
has to catch all her movements
perfectly.