Date of Award

5-1-2026

Degree Type

Report

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

Theatre Arts

Committee Chair(s)

Dennis Hassan

Committee

Dennis Hassan

Committee

Bruce Duerden

Committee

Phil Lowe

Abstract

This Plan B Report documents the development, execution, and evolution of my scenic design practice during my MFA at Utah State University, using four major productions—You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Xanadu, Annie, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—as case studies in innovation, sustainability, and ethical design. Beginning with Charlie Brown, the report examines how a concept-driven approach rooted in research, simplicity, and technological integration established a foundation for sustainable scenic practices. Through detailed analysis of venue constraints, projection mapping, modular construction, and collaborative workflows, the project demonstrates how visual storytelling can emerge from restraint, clarity, and adaptive problem‑solving.

The second major project, Xanadu, expands this inquiry by exploring how architectural research, foam carving, and recessed LED lighting can support transformation, movement, and embodied performance. Drawing inspiration from Art Deco architecture, the Pan Pacific Auditorium, and the Eastbourne Bandstand, the design emphasizes reuse, material efficiency, and the creation of a flexible unit set capable of supporting choreography and roller skating.

Subsequent productions—Annie and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—test the thesis under increasingly challenging economic, institutional, and personal conditions. Through adaptive reuse of existing scenic materials, rapid redesign, and collaborative negotiation, these projects reveal the practical and ethical complexities of sustainable design in under-resourced environments. They highlight the necessity of balancing ecological responsibility with humane labor practices, transparent communication, and realistic production planning.

Across all projects, the report argues that sustainable scenic design is not merely a set of techniques but a holistic philosophy grounded in research, adaptability, collaboration, and care for the people who bring theatre to life. The document concludes that innovation most often emerges under constraint, and that sustainable, ethical design practices are essential to the future of theatrical production.

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