Romeo and Juliet behin d t he sce n es Each season, we engage a team of gifted designers to work on our productions. Their skilled sound, lighting, set and costume designs truly bring our plays to life on stage! Here’s a look at what went into creating the costumes, set and musical composition for Romeo and Juliet.
“The music of the show was inspired by minimalism and wanting to use the voice of the actors to create the atmosphere. For the actual composition of the music, I had an initial meeting with the director to determine the direction of sound, then I began sketching out the main themes for the show. Once I had the vocals mapped out, I added light recorded Juliet costume sketch backtracks that by Carmen Alatorre could be incorporated along with the live sound.” Joelysa Pankanea, Composer & Musical Director
"The costume design for this production of Romeo and Juliet is a reinterpretation of styles from the Italian Renaissance. I was looking to evoke an ethereal atmosphere in which the costumes have transparent, iridescent and soft qualities, representing the memory of the story as told from Juliet's perspective. We wanted to create stylized, simplified and elegant silhouettes by revisiting the fashion of the 15th century through a slightly different lens.
“The design inspiration for Romeo and Juliet came from the crypts, tombs and catacombs of old Verona. Our production of Romeo and Juliet starts at the moment Juliet awakens from her drug-induced slumber, so our whole story takes place in a tomb surrounded by the ancestral bones of both the Capulets and Montagues.
Like most designers, I start by reading the script to get some initial thoughts and ideas. Then, I have a conversation with the director to define a visual concept or world in which we see the story taking place. Extensive historic and visual research follows, as we collect a series of reference images and do initial sketches. Many conversations happen before we define what the final look of the show will be as we collaborate with the whole design team to build a cohesive vision!" Carmen Alatorre, Costume Designer Romeo costume sketch by Carmen Alatorre
My initial design process started with reading the script, and then having a lively discussion with the director. I then researched various crypts, tombs, catacombs and burial sites, starting with what’s claimed to be the original Romeo and Juliet crypt!"
Pam Johnson, Set Designer 31
