2024
Weathervane Playhouse
Newark, OH

Directed by: David Baghat
Scenic Design: Lea Pick
Lighting Design: Jay Weddle
Costume Design: Megan Starr
Properties Design: Jennifer Sansfacon
Stage Manager: Danielle Aikens
Technical Direction: Kyle Carson
Scenic Charge: Erin Poinsette

It was an honor to design for this rarely-produced play! It is truly one of the whackiest pieces I have read and evaluated, but the premise is that it takes place in smalltown Sweetgum, Texas. Gaynelle wants to post-pone hosting the family reunion after her scandle of running her mini-van into the trailer of her ex-husband's mistress - she doesn't - and ends up betting the ownership of her house on being able to bake a better red velvet cake than La Merl. With that said, I was aiming for campy, outdated, and colorful. The script itself notes to not make fun of the characters themselves, so I avoided any over-the-top stereotypes and focused my set dressing reference sheet on silly and fun things you would find in your grandma's house that was built in the 90's. I also had the most fun researching different outfits that could fit the ceramic goose that hangs out on their front porch :)