This fall, Xavier students Quinn Patberg ‘28 and Adeleine Bandura ‘28, along with Brophy students Keegan Lawson ‘27 and Giovanni McDowell ‘28, are leading the set design for the upcoming production of “Pride and Prejudice.”
Set design involves taking the director’s ideas and turning them into real sets. “Essentially we are given a theme by our directors and we go from there,” Bandura said.
She also notes that as a set designer, she gets to decide colors, movement, pieces and detailing of the set.
All of the set designers’ work gets checked off by the directors making sure everything is in order and is helping the team avoid any issues.
The process to become a set designer for “Pride and Prejudice” did not include a formal sign-up this year.
Lawson was recommended by members of the tech team and moderators asked him to return after he designed for last year’s production of “Into the Woods.” This is the third time that he has been a set designer.
On the artistic side, Bandura was able to take into account the movement of the actors, size, perception from the audience and the realistic side of the production, including the lengthy learning process that it took for her to become a set designer for the show.
Designers also help build the sets by using tools such as hammers, nails and paintbrushes, showing that everyone has different skills that contribute to the project.
Lawson also brings strong artistic skills and helps coordinate the colors for the set. He’s good at planning pieces and making the artwork look aesthetic and fun. “I always get to do a lot of painting during the building process, so I have to say this is the part that I enjoy the most,” Lawson added.
He also added that this has been the quickest build process he has ever experienced, and while it can feel stressful before tech week, he is not worried because he knows that the sets always get finished.
Tech Week is the critical time of preparation before the show dates. This is the most important week because it is the final week before a show.
This is the week where actors, crew members and directors are at their most intense point of training and planning. A lot of people have to stay longer hours after school to help prepare.
According to Patberg, the set builders have from August 5 until the start of Tech Week, September 21. After school, the build goes from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. and also uses the help of stagecraft teacher, Tom Lytle, who teaches three classes where students help build the set.
Working smoothly as a team, all four student designers contribute to every step of the process. “All four of us have done similar things like help draw up concepts, contribute ideas and help build the set,” Patberg remarked.
