CHARLOTTE'S WEB Plays At The Rose Theater, Combines Animation & Actors

Charlotte's giant web will frame the entirety of The Rose Theater's production in May. Animated imagery and actors will interact with the web in unique, dynamic ways.

"Bringing Charlotte's web to life has taken the efforts of the entire production staff," said Director KevinEhrhart.The web has been constructed from rear projection screen materials. Cut-outs from the screen will form the center of the web, while the ropes that secure it will form its outer edges that connect to the barn below.

Animated imagery will be projected on to spell the words that Charlotte weaves into the web.Because the web and the words need to be large enough for the entire audience to see, it will hang over the barn and span the entire stage.

"As Charlotte weaves her life-size web in the barn, the audience will see it in the enormous web overhead," described set designer Josh Mullady. The web creation will also be integrated into the movement on stage. While Charlotte is spinning the web, dancers from the Omaha Theater Ballet's Junior Ballet Company will perform an interpretive dance to classical music.

Mullady, Ehrhart and others first began conceptualizing the set for Charlotte's Web in January of this year. By bouncing creative ideas back and forth, they settled upon the projection screen idea. Mullady designed the web and the rest of the set, while Ehrhart designed the video and animation for theprojections.

Charlotte's Web is Josh Mullady's first set design at The Rose Theater. He is also cast in the show as Mr. Arable and Lurvy.

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The Rose 2001 Farnam Omaha, NE 68102