Curious Savage

In addition to being my first stage and lighting design in Alpena, Michigan, I played the role of Dr. Emmett. Although a minor part as far as the play goes, it was my first time performing on stage. It was a fascinating experience. Not only did I create a world for the characters to be a part of and interact with, I was one of them. For a total installation, I put myself into the art and moved body and voice with it.

It was a small part (thankfully), but the role of Dr. Emmett in the asylum was that of an aloof but caring lead doctor who ran the 'home', and who percieved the 'insanity' around him but did not get drawn in to it. The world the audience saw was one the Doctor was not quite entirely a part of. He created the sanctuary for the patients as I created the stage for the cast. He was authoritative, but not authoritarian. Just as I controlled how the set was built, platforms, levels, and even the lighting for the environment, I did not entirely control the actions on stage.