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Designing by the book

Posted by DCA Theater on July 7, 2009 in Other, Summer Opera

Submitted by Stephen Raskauskas, Production Dramaturge

The myth of Acis and Galatea has inspired composers, poets and painters for centuries. This vivid tale from Ovid’s Metamorphoses provides ample artistic inspiration with its mythological characters, pastoral setting, and of course, the metamorphosis itself, when Galatea transforms her lost lover into a river.

The Chicago Cultural Center Summer Opera production of Acis and Galatea has been updated, setting the story in Preston Bradley Hall as it was decades ago – a library.

Much of the magic in this production will come from the designs conjured up by Production Designer Chelsea Warren, who will use books as props, set, and costume in exciting and creative ways. Chelsea describes some of her inspiration;

When Joanie approached me about doing a production design for an opera that takes place in a library in which books become all the props, I knew I had to be on board and that this is the project for me. I grew up an opera lover, studying voice in undergrad with soprano Dora Ohrenstein, as well as have always had a passion for books, libraries and book art. The librarian characters will become the mythic gods and shepherds in the story by diving into the books. The time period is the 1950s and there will be 3 costumes that will be made out of books--or look like they will. A 1950s wedding dress made out of paper I believe is the most exciting! As well as all sorts of props made out of books, including trees and all sorts of origami. My main source of research has come from the Cultural Center’s history as a library as well as many inspirations from paper artists around the world.