The document outlines the responsibilities and creative decisions of a director for a production of Sophocles' 'Oedipus Rex', emphasizing the importance of coordinating with various designers and casting actors. It describes the setting in Mycenaean era Thebes, the play's realistic style, and the central metaphor of Oedipus' eyes, which symbolizes his tragic downfall due to hubris. Additionally, the document details the lighting and costume design, aiming to evoke the atmosphere of the period and portray the play's themes effectively.

1. Oedipus the King
Jaime Bolanos, Clayton Manchaca, Cody Nguyen, and
Ricardo Sosa

2. The Director
He or she is responsible for the production
and working with other artists to create a
performance.

3. Responsibilities of a Director.
● Coordinating with theatrical aspects
o Scene designers
o Costume designers
o Lighting designers
o Sound designers
● Choosing a Script
o Reason
● Shaping a “Spine”
● The Style of Production and Concept
● Casting actors for the play
● Rehearsals
● Final say in the production

4. The Script
The play we have decided is Sophocles’
Oedipus Rex or known as Oedipus the King.

5. Reason
Oedipus Rex stands out as a classic.
Sophocleus really brought out the tragedy of a
family plagued by fate. We decided as a
group to undergo construction of this play
because the script was great and the meaning
of the story screams for attention. Oedipus
Rex is what greek tragedies try to strive for.
Even though some of the other plays have
siblings killing each other, parents killing
children, and then some. But Oedipus Rex has
all of them in a trilogy. There are no other
plays that can top the incest between a son
and a mother. Especially since he gave birth
to four children.

6. The “Spine” of the Play
The spine is known as the main action of the play. The main action of the play
will be the searching for the truth at the cost of the people he trust and his own
health. People will spring forth good news but it leads to a darker truth for the
main character.

7. The Style
● We decided that Realism style is best suited for the play.
● The realistic environment will allow the audience to understand and
integrate with the setting.
● The acting will be represent the life early greek plays. The city
Thebes will be the main grounds of the play.
● The genre of the play will be a tragedy. It will display a story of a
tragic hero of Oedipus and his downfall. The actors will portray
strong emotions with voice.

8. The Scene
The setting of the play will be
influenced by greek architecture.

9. Period and Setting
The time of the play will be in Mycenaean
Era 1100-1600 B.C.
The location will be in Thebes, Greece.
The scenery gives a very powerful view of
power as if characters are unleveled. This
is due to the setting on the stairs.

10. Central Image
In this production, a centralized image will be used to act
as an indication of the metaphor.
The eyes of Oedipus will be the central image of the play.
His eyes, although he can see is blinded by his hubris that
lead to his fall.

11. Costumes
The costumes will be
in the period of early
greek period. The
colors will indicate
power and wealth.

12. Casting
Male Cast
● Oedipus- Nicolas Cage
● High Priest- Russell Crowe
● Creon- Leonardo Dicaprio
● Chorus- Men Chorus
● Teiresias- Morgan Freeman
● Boy- Skandar Keynes
● Messenger- Robert De Niro
● Servant- Tom Hanks
● Second Messenger- Steve Buscemi
Female Cast
● Jocasta- Sandra Bullock
● Antigone- Natalie Portman
● Ismene- Emma Watson
● Servants- Female Chorus

13. Lighting
The greenish tint will depict the
plague that has fallen on the
city of Thebes. The primary
focus will be on the King.

14. Directional Concept
● The direction of the play will stay true to the script of
Sophocleus.
● The actors will fluidly move around the king as if they
were servants. Thus fleeing if there is presence strong
tone from the king.
● The gouging of the eyes will be off stage.
● The truth of the matter is best left unsaid.
● Good news may lead to a terrible fate.

15. Scene Designer Objectives
• Creating an environment for the performers and for the
performance
• Helping to set the mood and style of the production
• Helping to distinguish realistic from non realistic theatre
• Establish the locale and period in which the play take
place
• Evolving a design concept in concert with the director
and other designers
• Provide a central image or visual metaphor
• Ensure the scenery is coordinated with other production
elements
• Solving practical design problems

16. Scenery
• The time of the play took place between
1100-1600 B.C.
• No modern structures will be used
• Will have rock stairs and rock buildings
• Thrust theatre will be used to have the stairs
come up using the outside stage
• The top stage will be used mainly by Oedipus

17. Thrust Theatre

18. Front View

19. Front View
• Using the building as the background will be
essential to the location of the play.
• Location of the play will be outside of his
palace
• This will show only men and woman of wealth
coming in and out of the main door
• Everyone else will stay outside on the stairs

20. Top View

21. Top View
• The flat area between the castle and the stairs
will be used by Oedipus, Jocasta, their
daughters, Creon, and Tiresias.
• The stairs will be used by all the village people
and the chorus.
• The village people will then exit the stage on
either side when the lights dim for the next
scene.

22. Realistic Scenery
• Since no modern objects will be on the stage
and it’ll all be rock, like in the Roman times,
the objective is to keep it realistic. The
costumes will add to the realistic scenery in
the way that they will be dressed like they did
in the Roman times.

23. Central Image
• They eyes of Oedipus will be the central image
of the play
• His eyes, although he can see, is blinded by his
hubris that leads to his fall

24. Special Effect
• Since we are going to keep it realistic from the
time of the event, we will not have any special
effects
• Only effects we will have are light effects for:
–Time of day
–Plague that has fallen on the city

25. Lighting Design
By Clayton Manchaca

26. What I’m trying to do
• Simulate the appearance of Autumn
• Indicate the city is plagued
• Keep relevant actor visible
• Transition from noon to night, creating symbolic setting of
sun on Oedipus’ rule
• Highlight speakers during soliloquies/private conversations
and indicate that they are not overheard
• Gradually darken atmosphere to increase seriousness toward
end

27. Primary Techniques
• Faint, diffuse red/orange general lighting to
produce Fall atmosphere
• Slowly lower light levels to represent
transition into evening/night
• Spotlights will be used to highlight Characters
during soliloquies and private conversations
• Gradually cut lights around stage perimeter to
draw focus to the fallen Oedipus
• Green lighting to indicate disease

28. Lighting Diagram
BG Screen
Upper
Left Right
Ground
L Spot R Spot

29. Background - Projection onto Screen
• To help indicate time of day and season, a mildly
translucent, white screen hung in the background will have
an autumn skyline projected onto it from the rear. The hue
of the image will gradually transition to the deeper
orange/red of sunset, which will then darken to black as
the play progresses into evening and night.
• Throughout the play, the background will have a slight
green tinge to represent the plague that hangs over
Thebes
• To indicate the onset of trouble, the background will gain
clouds from an initially clear state, following the arrival of
Creon. These clouds will persist for the remainder of the
play.

30. Section Lighting
• Lights will be located overhead, with semi-transparent
films placed in front to soften
light.
• Light color and intensity will gradually adjust
with background to match day progression
• Lights will primarily give off white light with
hints of green and gold, to represent plague
and autumn respectively
General Light Color

31. Side Sectional Lights
• Includes Left and Right sections
• Heavier green than other sections when
occupied by infected citizens
• These sections will fade out during Oedipus’
conversation with the shepherd/servant
• Lack of light in these sections for rest of play
will help draw in focus, amplifying tension
Light Color

32. Ground Lights
• Starts with same color as side lights, then
shifts to the general light color with Chorus
entrance
• Will illuminate the Chorus throughout the play
• Acts as sole light source during final chorus
speech
– Cuts to black upon completion
Chorus Light Color

33. Upper Lights
• Color starts with less ill green
– Gains green as Oedipus discovers the truth
• Stays on with levels following background
until climax
– Fades to ¼ intensity after upper stage clears when
Oedipus realizes truth
– Comes back at half intensity with red when
Oedipus re-enters
– Cuts when upper stage clears finally
Initial Light Color Second Light Color Final Light Color

34. Oedipus the King: Costume Designer
Ricardo Sosa, Group 82

35. Setting
• Around 420 B.C.
• Steps of the royal palace of Thebes
• Style – Sad, pity

36. Major Characters
• Oedipus – King of Thebes, Savior of Thebes from
Sphinx, wants to do good, does not know what he is
getting into
• Royal Tunic, made of wool/linen blend, prestigious
patterning

37. • Jacosta – Queen of Thebes, Ex-Widow of King
Laius, Premium wool/linen blend
• Creon – Brother of Jacosta,
has royal powers, Premium
wool/linen blend

38. • Antigone – Daughter of Oedipus
and Jacosta, Child
• Ismene – Daughter of Oedipus
and Jacosta, Child
• Simpler wool/linen blend tunics

39. • Priest – High Priest of Thebes
– Special design on chiton to
highlight religious authority
• Teiresias – Old blind prophet
– Walking with cane and wearing
Simpler robe than the royalty

40. • Chorus of Theban Elders
– Simple design on
chitons, similar
neutral colors
• Boy – Attendant on
Teiresias, simple white
colored chiton

41. • Messenger – an old man
• Servant – an old shepherd
– Simple long chiton with no
particular design, same costume
for all other servants
• Second messenger –
Servant of Oedipus
– Messenger will have lighter
clothing, light skirt type bottom,
Sleeveless top

42. Family Relations
King Laius Queen Jacosta
Creon
King Oedipus
Siblings
Siblings
Antigone Ismene
Spouse
Spouse/mother
-son
Father
-
sibling

43. Non – family related
Messenger Old Shepherd
• Responsible for not fulfilling the task of the prophecy

44. Image Sources
• Clear sky
– http://www.cadtutor.net/download/raster/sky_04_source/sky-31.jpg
• Cloudy sky
– http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs11/i/2006/217/5/0/Cloudy_Sky_V_by_surczak.jpg
• Oedipus Bloody Eyes
– http://genius.com/1684632/An0maly-faded/Gouge-your-
eyes-out-like-oedipus
•Thrust Theatre
– http://blogs.swa-jkt.com/swa/11246/tag/drama-10/