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SET DESIGNS
Click on the images for more information on select pieces.
My interest in set and production design happened almost by accident. When I went to Vassar College, I felt their studio art program was somewhat lacking (though their art history courses were outstanding). I was in one drawing class for ONE DAY, and dropped out knowing that I'd hate it with a passion. A drama major suggested an alternative: set design coursework. And this began a wonderful new path.
The instructor, Thaddeuz Gesek, quickly became a good friend and mentor. Though I haven't used what I've learned from him to the extent that I should, his teaching was invaluable. And unlike drawing intro, I don't think I'll ever know as much as my set design professor. And so, with deep respect to "Thad", here is a sampling of some of my old designs.
Sadly, Mr. Gesek passed away in the summer of 2003; my tribute to him, published in the Vassar Quarterly, can be found on my DEDICATIONS page. His son Stefan, who I finally met after all these years, now works as a professional production designer; I think his dad would be proud.
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Website designed and maintained by Adam McDaniel. All original writing, illustration, and artwork featured within this website (unless otherwise noted) copyright © 2020 by Adam McDaniel. All rights reserved. Images (in whole or part) may not be downloaded, copied, linked to, or edited in any manner or form for use on any website, image gallery, clipart collection, printed product, or other derivative uses without express written permission from the artist, unless it is for the purpose of critical reviews or commentary.
Client: Mike Young Productions Concept set design for television show, 2000 This was the interior set design of an apartment featured for a potential TV show, with the lead character living as a couch potato in this weird, askewed dump. The angle perspective was deliberately twisted.
Concept set design for Vassar College, 1995
Concept set design for Vassar College, 1995
LIFE OF GALILEO Galileo's Study by B. Brecht Concept design for Vassar College, 1995. One of my favorite designs, this play entailed two backdrops: one with the sun at center, and the dropout moons and planets slowly moving "around" it (as Galileo asserted), and the "religious" view of the sun spinning around the earth.
THE BEAR by Anton Chekov Set design for Vassar College, 1993. My very first set design. The intention here was to limit the basic color palette to two contrasting colors (in this case, red and green) for the set and costumes.
THE BEAR by Anton Chekov Sample costume design for Vassar College, 1993
OTHELLO: Desdemona's Chamber by William Shakespeare Concept set design for Vassar College, 1993 The intention here was to be symmetrical and ornate, like moorish and Middle Eastern architecture. The "skull" frame with windows for the eyes and teeth left an eerie, if not very subtle, impression.
ORESTIA, SECOND CYCLE: LIBATION BEARERS by Asyculus Concept design for Vassar College, 1994.
KING LEAR: Initial Concept Design. by William Shakespeare For Vassar College, 1995 Here I was trying to go for minimalism. A reflective opaque backdrop was placed in the background, so the overall color scheme could change with the lights. Black "tarps" were dropped from above, implyinga sense of architectural columns in a free space. The center piece, a constructed platform with stairs on one sideand a stone-like boulder on the other, could be rotated during a scene to keep the movement going
KING LEAR: Lear's Palace. by William Shakespeare For Vassar College, 1995
KING LEAR: Heath. by William Shakespeare For Vassar College, 1995
KING LEAR: Gloucester's Castle. by William Shakespeare For Vassar College, 1995
Concept design for Vassar College, 1993-4. (Too bad I can't remember what play this was for!)
ALL MY SONS by Arthur Miller, directed by J.J. Marshall Performed at Vassar College, 1994.
ALL MY SONS by Arthur Miller, directed by J.J. Marshall Performed at Vassar College, 1994.
CRY FOR ME by Rommen Cromwell Performed at Vassar College, 1995. Now THIS set was fun...and brought in on a budget of $97. (Leaving us $3 to spare.) The man saying "You're expelled" was none other than our college Dean, who I understand did not appreciate the gesture.
CRY FOR ME by Rommen Cromwell Performed at Vassar College, 1995. Now THIS set was fun...and brought in on a budget of $97. (Leaving us $3 to spare.) The man saying "You're expelled" was none other than our college Dean, who I understand did not appreciate the gesture.
CRY FOR ME by Rommen Cromwell Performed at Vassar College, 1995. Now THIS set was fun...and brought in on a budget of $97. (Leaving us $3 to spare.) The man saying "You're expelled" was none other than our college Dean, who I understand did not appreciate the gesture.
CRY FOR ME by Rommen Cromwell Performed at Vassar College, 1995. Now THIS set was fun...and brought in on a budget of $97. (Leaving us $3 to spare.) The man saying "You're expelled" was none other than our college Dean, who I understand did not appreciate the gesture.
