Man Covets Bird
Produced by Spooky Action Theatre Company Written by: Finegan Kruckemeyer Director: Shanara Gabrielle Assistnat Director: Autumn Angelettie Lighting Designer: Hailey LaRoe (me) Set Designer: Nadir Bey Projections Designer: Patrick Lord Assistnat Projections: Zavier Taylor Sound Designer: Brandon Cook Costume Designer: Danielle Peterson
Man Covets Bird is one of the shows I’ve felt most connected to in a long time. This story is about so many things; self discovery, growing up, human connection, beauty in the little things, friend ship, music, life. This eclectic little play was such a stunning pleasure to work on. As the lighting designer I was particularly drawn to the eclectic nature of the play. The man and bird collect objects and stories as they move through life together. I illustrated this through light by adding numerous practicals throughout the detritus of the set. I also added lighted and objects behind fabric windows to show little glimpses into the lives of other people. Other moments in the show demanded very specific lighting moments, like the green light driving the monotony of the factory or the warm safe circle of light that helped create the man’s nest. This show lent itself to so many beautiful moments of discovery and I am so happy I was able to be a part of that with this wonderful team of artists.
Spooky Action Theatre
Reviews
MD Theatre Guide “What an enchanting framework Spooky Action Theater creates for “Man Covets Bird!” From live piano and guitar music performed by the actors themselves, mixed with a wonderfully eclectic set which includes undisguised PVC pipe and even trash (yes, trash!), to shadow puppets, judicious use of surrounding video screens for animated scenery, varying sizes of twinkle lights, and spot on sound effects. Every moment of this production is magical as the barest of elements transform into a wondrous world that effortlessly draws us into its sphere.” - MD Theatre Guide
DC Theatre Arts “There are constant surprises hidden within [the set] that go unnoticed until they are used. […] for all of these technical complexities, the individual pieces feel clean and familiar, a fort put together from objects the entire audience knows, making a generally smooth transition from reality to the fantastical. Lighting (Hailey LaRoe), costumes (Danielle Preston), sound and music (Brandon Cook, Navi, Emily Erickson), and projection surprises (Patrick W. Lord, Zavier Augustus Lee Taylor), work together seamlessly to the same effect, engulfing us in the bird’s nest and the man’s world.” - DC Theatre Arts