Making of Genesis

The first reading brought the design imagery to life. Within the logistical constraints of the Fringe Festival, I desinged a set that was modular, sparse and gave an institutional feel without needing all the trappings of an institution. Then it was simplified even further. What emerged was a suggestion of reality that the actors made their own.
Did I mention the rehearsals? Even after the show opened, the cast perfected their characters and movements. The Director, AD and SM helped keep things focused and safe during the process. The set was built and transported to the rehearsal space at the Clark Street Playhouse. While the cast got used to the set, I built props.
Using faux painting techniques, I made brand new wood look like rusted old metal, and bloody bandages keep a fresh look from day to day.   Will, our Stage Manager made sure everything was safe and where it needed to be when it needed to be there. From Clark Street, to our Redrum Venue, he was on top of everything. Thanks Will!
Even after the show was built and running, the design work didn't stop. I sketched cast members hard at work with ideas of future productions in mind. How would different costumes change the characters? What about a different setting - street corner instead of institution? In what other contexts could we explore concepts of sanity and divinity? GENESIS now has a life of its own! How the show grows, changes and is re-imagined in the future is anyone's guess.

And of course there was the GENESIS website!

A lot went in to the production of Genesis by Evan Crump. Far more than can be condensed in to this space. This is only a look at the physical production, design and implementation. Unseen is the advertising and publicity, many, many, many rehearsals, the video and sound production for between scenes, the numerous Fringe Festival staff who facilitated the show during the run, and on and on.

I wish I could have included them all in here, but I was too busy with the production to document all of it, and it would require a huge website all its own to sufficiently tell everyone's story. Thank you to everyone who participated in this amazing adventure, which may be far from over.

Although not my first design, Genesis had more than a few firsts for me. Never done a world premiere before (which is intimidating on its own). Never done the Fringe Festival, with its unique logistical challenges. Never fronted a production budget (ouch)...  It was immensely hard, but the reward was even greater. Thank you to everyone who helped me, and each other, to lift the show up from the darkness of creation in to the light.