Set and Prop Design

Tunnel of Love Sign (Read More)

Description:

This custom sign, created for Ride the Cyclone, it was designed to look very old beated and weathered. Inspired by the classic “Tunnel of Love” imagery, the sign blends detailed craftsmanship with technical stage design. The sign was built with a budget of $60

Construction & Materials:

Built entirely from luan plywood with all letters hand-cut using a jigsaw and coping saw.
Interior DMX-controlled theater lights illuminate the sign, emphasizing certain letters to create a worn, uneven glow.
Integrated fog lines run through the structure to leak through the letters and create a fog curtain under the arch.
Exterior painted to mimic aged wood, with an intentionally weathered, tactile texture. Gold gilding was applied to the edge to provide a contrast of gimmer against the aged aesthetic.

Letters are backed with textured acrylic, designed to appear yellowed, cracked, and aged, diffusing light to show the sign’s distressed appearance.

Beetlejuice Set (Read More)

For my senior year production of Beetlejuice, I took on the dual role of lead performer, and set designer, and props fabricator, an experience that challenged both my creative vision and technical execution. Portraying Beetlejuice on stage while simultaneously overseeing the visual environment required a high level of organization, foresight, and adaptability. I'll never forget singing songs at the piano and then cutting wood, and running back for the next song, covered in sawdust.

Drawing inspiration from Tim Burton’s signature aesthetic, I immersed myself in research to better understand the exaggerated, surreal design language that defines the world of Beetlejuice. This included studying irregular geometries, forced perspective, and the use of bold, unconventional forms to create a dynamic and visually engaging stage presence.

Even prior to casting, I was deeply invested in the production, independently designing and fabricating two breakaway ukuleles; an iconic prop from the show. My initial concept utilized pin-based break points, but through iterative problem-solving, I refined the design to incorporate a hinge and magnet system. This adjustment significantly improved durability and allowed for quick, seamless resets during performances.

Much of the set was constructed from repurposed materials, including a roof structure assembled from deconstructed set pieces and finished with custom-cut luan shingles. I also created multiple versions of key set elements. For instance, I designed and built three distinct fireplaces, each tailored to reflect the iconic changes of the show. My favorite was featured after Beetlejuice’s takeover of the house, it embraced exaggerated angles, and incorporated sculpted “teeth,” fully capturing the chaotic and whimsical essence of the character.

This project not only allowed me to explore large-scale design and fabrication but also strengthened my ability to merge artistic creativity with practical engineering solutions, resulting in a cohesive and immersive theatrical experience.

Jungle Book (Read More)

For a production of The Jungle Book Kids, I was tasked with designing and constructing a large onstage storybook that could visually support scene transitions. Initially, the request was for a practical prop with a single turning page, but I expanded the concept by developing a fully dynamic projection-mapped system that allowed for unlimited “page turns.” I constructed the book using a frame of 2x4 lumber and luan plywood, mounted on casters for mobility. The pages themselves were created from stretched fabric, forming a smooth projection surface.

While the physical construction was straightforward, the technical execution required a more advanced approach. I designed and implemented a custom projection mapping system that calibrated the projected image to the exact dimensions and orientation of the book. By incorporating tracking points at each corner, the system could detect the book’s position in space and automatically adjust the projection in real time, ensuring the visuals remained properly aligned even if the prop was moved slightly. In addition to the technical system, I created original graphics that matched the aesthetic of the production and developed animated backgrounds that extended beyond the book, enhancing the overall stage environment. This project combined practical fabrication with digital design and was completed with a total budget of under $60 (not including a projector, laptop, and camera), demonstrating both technical ingenuity and cost efficiency.

Olaf Puppet (Read More)

During the summer of 2023, I performed as Olaf in a production of Frozen Kids. Recognizing a significant visual imbalance between my physical stature and that of the actors portraying Anna, Elsa and every other role in the show, I sought a creative solution that would better serve the storytelling. Inspired by Broadway-style puppetry, I proposed and executed the design and fabrication of a fully functional Olaf puppet, allowing for a more proportionally accurate and visually engaging character on stage.

As no suitable pre-made option existed, I undertook the complete custom construction of the puppet. This process required me to revive and apply my sewing skills. To support the structure, I engineered a wearable wooden frame that mounted securely to my body, enabling both stability and mobility during performance. I incorporated articulated mechanisms throughout the puppet, including custom-carved wooden hands and independently controlled limbs, allowing for a wide range of expressive movement.

Additionally, I designed and implemented a unique foot control system by mounting sculpted “snowball” feet onto dowels attached to my shoes, giving me the ability to manipulate Olaf’s steps in coordination with his upper body. This multi-point control system allowed me to simultaneously operate the puppet’s arms, legs, head, and overall expression, bringing the character to life in a dynamic and believable way.

This project was completed on a five-day timeline, requiring efficient problem-solving, adaptability, and craftsmanship. The final result enhanced the visual storytelling of the production while demonstrating my ability to merge performance with technical design and fabrication.

Percy Jackson Swords

Obi-Wan's Light Saber

"Preston" Peace Prize

Maui's Fish Hook

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