Ruined Production By Glenn Luty

            When approaching Lynn Nottage’s play ruined I envision a war torn and worn out environment. This environment is conducive to the conflict within our main character Mama, who is fighting for her right to remain a feeling human being. Through the use of specific set design we can visually see the torment of the war on the inhabitants of the country, and the utter decay of everyone and everything. However, through the use of specific vivid colors in lighting, specific costumes, and even props the lingering of hope will be subtly kept alive.

            The play Ruined is a very personal piece and being a personal piece I feel strongly that it should be produced and have its run in a smaller theatre. A more intimate setting will give the audience a very deep and meaningful shared experience. I almost want the audience members to feel like they are actually sitting in that bar, that they are on the other side of that back room while these heartfelt conversations are going on, while these horrible conflicts take place.

In researching a perfect space for this, I’d like to put this production on at the PSI theatre in Durham, NC. This space is ideal because it’s got the versatility to house up to 200 seats but is also ground level to add that “in the scene” feel to the audience. I feel North Carolina is also a great place to perform this play because there is a racial tension in that community that may be changed if people saw something outside themselves, and that there are “real” issues besides someone’s color or social status. My target audience is anyone with eyes and ears really.

Given the space I’ve chosen scenic design will be tough because everything must be functional given there are two rooms that must be present. I think the bar and back room must be one set divided by a back wall behind the actual bar. I think the whole feel of the bar space has got to be mismatched worn furniture, maybe some mismatched chairs at the tables. The bar stools could have holes in their padding. I think a broken neon beer sign, and just a real cheap worn feel to the bar. The walls have wear in them, Christmas lights strewn against the far wall where there’s a small box with a karaoke machine on it (this is where Sophie will sing). There could also be some old torn signage for Fanta or cigarettes hanging on the back wall as well. The diamond would have to be an LED fed piece of plastic that way it shines like crazy for all to see whenever its out. It’s gotta glow.

The costuming is crucial to this piece given the whole “brothel” aspect, but also to the rebel/soldier difference. Mama should wear some old dresses with worn blue prints, a head dress of some sort glasses. This would give her that kind of motherly wise look, I believe the actresses attitude will bring the life to Mama though. The girls for the most part are going to wear early 90’s mini skirts, and one piece skirts that don’t fit them very well, either too tight or loose. Sophie’s clothes should be gold, or bright turquoise, you always can spot her on stage. In the scenes when they are in the back, I feel droll brown cotton clothes could be worn in their down time. The soldiers would wear old green uniforms like those of the old army. The rebels would wear all different types of clothes just unified by a red bandana. Christians clothes are explained in the text. Mr. Harari’s clothes will always be in a neon green or bright orange, contemporary suits that are well kept. We want Harari’s clothes to stick out because he’s Josephine’s hope.

 

The lighting in the bar has too be bright where Sophie’s singing and dimmer where all other action is taking place. The lights should appear as general 70 watt bulbs, but over in “Sophie’s” area they have to be brighter. I would do this because Sophie is the bright spot in the darkness really.  I’d also like track lighting for when there’s a scene just between two people such as Christian and Mama, or Sophie and Mama. Cue the lights down in the background and just make it seem like they are the only two people in the world having these important discussions, especially during the dance portion at the end. The back room should be lit by a single light bulb (or make it seem like one) dangling in the middle of the room. This would give it a gloomy feel. In the background behind the set would be lit for day and night and also flashing for the scenes when it’s raining.

Finally we come to the sound design of this play, this is very important because it shapes the reality of the situation. Sounds of the different vehicles need to be heard. We need to hear the sounds of distant to near battles. There are scenes when rain is needed so that needs to be heard. There are moments when the radio is on, so you’ve got to have that music, which would be African pop filtered through a radio effect. Sophie’s songs would be sung through a karaoke machine, I don’t feel as though there would be any kind of real musicians at Mama’s, and I don’t think Mama would invest in an expensive set up, for all we know she may not have had a singing girl before Sophie.

Those are just some ideas for my production of Ruined, thanks for your time and a fun class.