Staging proposal due on blogs by 11pm -- 500 words. Describe how you would stage MLML or TPG as a play, your vision of it. What does it look and feel like? Talk about how the stage is set up, color, characters, lighting, etc. Drawings optional.
The way that I imagine MLML on stage is very simple. I feel as though the most important piece of the book is the characters, the journeys they follow and the themes, not the set or scenery. While nature is necessary, I see it being reinterpreted in a more modern way. The scenes will mainly be set by lighting and the set itself will be extremely minimal. At the village the lighting will be bright, but more of an orange light to show heat and contrast from the white light when Desiree is at the hotel living with Daniel. This will show how alive Desiree feels in both places, but how the change in her attitude is reflected in the lights.
This will be the common theme of the lighting and set, it will all be centered around Desiree. She is the center of the show and all conflict comes back to her, thus focusing on highlighting her emotions is vital in my production. This will allow the audience to feel her emotions, as well as create a subconscious approach towards different mind sets as the lighting changes.
Again, the set will be minimal. In the village, there will be a backdrop of mountains and fields, and Desiree's home will have simply a chair and table with cooking supplies on it. The other villagers, including Tonton Julian and Mama Euralie, will wear dark colors (brown, black and grays). Desiree will wear white to contrast this darkness and show how she is different. The hotel will be a background of large windows and no set pieces. The rich looking actors dressed in jewelry and colorful gowns of the whole rainbow will act as the setting. Again, these costumes will contrast Desiree. During Desiree's journey the scenery will become all tress, bushes and flowers. The set pieces of nature will be bright, yet the lighting will be very dark. A simple white spotlight to show Desiree's sense of determination and independence will be shown but that's it.
An important piece of the show is the Gods. I see them as separated in some sort of 'heaven' above the people. I want them constantly on stage, standing above the other actors. Papa Ge and Erzulie will always be looking down, watching over the people. This displays their close connection to humans and human emotion. Asaka and Agwe will always look up and Agwe will only look down when flooding the village or creating a storm. Having the Gods above affirms their power over the humans and separates them. However, having them always on stage ensures a constant relationship between the people and Gods. They will not have much light on them the whole show, thus their faces will not be seen. This will simulate the way the humans see the Gods. They hear their voices and face their actions, but never see their faces. The one time Desiree connects directly with Papa Ge will be the only time a God leaves that platform.
The last vital detail is the butterflies that visit Desiree and symbolize her in general. I see these butterflies as being video projected on the stage. The butterflies show Desiree's youth and luck, thus I think having them look real, as in a video projection, keeps the theme interesting and unique from other things in the show. In general, I want a mixed media, simple production. The most important part of show is the characters, and drawing away from that with huge sets is an unnecessary distraction. My staging feels like a more authentic version of storytelling that comes naturally, rather than a fabrication or exaggeration. It looks visibly pleasing, but not over done. All characters from the book will be included and I want to emphasize staying true to the intentions and writing in the book.
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