BWW Blog: Allison Rambler - Come Look At The Freaks: The World They Live In

Another week of Side Show rehearsals has almost come to an end, and many different aspects of the show are beginning to fall into place. Perhaps the most noticeable of these developments is the set. Each day I've walked into the black box studio for rehearsal, the "side show tent" has been coming together piece by piece. We are finally able to block scenes with a more accurate estimate of where each person will actually be able to stand, and seeing the new additions each day seems to inspire the cast to bring even more effort to rehearsal. Seeing the construction of the set has always been one of my favorite parts of any show, as it is visual proof of the progress being made. As the set acquires detail after detail, it helps me to imagine what the finished product will be, and I start to look forward to that ever-elusive opening night with renewed excitement.

The set design for Side Show is simple, yet functional for many different situations. Because the show is taking place in the black box studio, it is essential that the set be appropriate to use for both Act 1 and 2, as there will be minimal room on the stage for changes. Our set consists of two platforms on each side of the stage, connected by a lower platform in the center with a rolling piece hidden underneath. This allows for a variety of spacing and arrangements to be created, as well as giving depth to many different scenes. The most effective use of the set I've seen so far is during the flashback scene, in which Daisy and Violet are describing how they came to be a part of the side show.

They discuss life with their aunt, the doctors who wanted nothing more than a chance to cut them apart, and the entrance of their current guardian known as Sir into their lives. These elements are all introduced separately into the scene, but then each reappear at the end of the number on different levels of the set, all standing behind the twins as though they are reminders of what the girls want to leave behind.

I believe that this is a great setup for this scene as well as well as a clever utilization of the set, as it allows for each person onstage to be seen by the audience rather than being blocked by anyone else. Spacing in a black box setting can be difficult due to the smaller and more confined nature of the room, and this set prevents issues such as finding windows, or forming unnatural lines from arising in the first place, instead of fixing them later.

The set is elegant and representative of the time period, and I am very much looking forward to watching it come together with even more detail as we approach opening night. The set is an extremely crucial aspect to any show's atmosphere, and I am confident that this set in particular will add to the mysterious yet sophisticated sentiment that Side Show is known for.

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