“…a radically new and risky reboot: Instead of a summer-long season with two shows at a time, the company is leaning into the ‘festival’ part of its name, offering eight shows simultaneously...” - The New York Times
Blurb about the role
I received an opportunity to return to Western Massachusetts for my third summer and I would be a fool not to take it for how magical this area is and how cool the theatre can be.
The role itself was supplementary to the carpentry team, it primarily involved loading shows into the MainStage, Nikos Stage, and even an ice rink. A unique challenge of the season was the need to perform changeovers. WTF realized how many production people it would require to make changes happen that fast and started scaling up to match the demand, this is what provided me the opportunity to join this radically different season. I primarily worked on Camino Real, Spirit of the People, and Not About Nightingales as they were the bigger projects. There were other shows and odd projects that are pictured at the end.
Camino Real
Written by: Tennessee Williams
All Williamstown Production photos by Maria Baranova
Whitney Peak demonstrating the cage as a cantilevered acting space.
Nicholas Alexander Chavez post-fight scene.
Beautiful full stage shot by Maria Baranova.
The first walls placed on the DSR Wagon.
The cage and it's flat for the second level. One of my tasks was creating a floor for this.
In a Genie ready to help get the upper wall in place.
A look at the process from above.
Backstage mid-process photo.
Wagon has been rolled into place.
Full stage photo, cage floor install in progress.
Stage right wall looking from on stage.
A look of the airspace from the midrail.
A quick door and improvised handle to reduce light leak on the preferred metal mesh door.
Projects stopped so fight call could happen without loud cutting noises.
Directed by Dustin Wills
Scenic Designer Kate Noll; Associate Scenic Designer Silin Chen
Technical Directors David Difabio & Ethan Morgan; Assistant Technical Directors Todd Deaver & Juan Valles; Carpenters Cordel Miner, Juliana Zaharevich, Gianna Fasulo, Savannah Jackson, Ian Rios, Audrey McGovern, & Hailey Sanchez
Spirit of the People
Written by: Jeremy O. Harris
All Williamstown Production photos by Maria Baranova
The monstrous mirror flat can be seen in the back.
The Williams College MainStage had a very clean grid and load rail.
A picture of the set before finishing touches.
Directed by Katina Medina Mora
Scenic Designer Kate Noll; Associate Scenic Designer Silin Chen
Technical Directors David Difabio & Ethan Morgan; Assistant Technical Directors Todd Deaver & Juan Valles; Carpenters Cordel Miner, Juliana Zaharevich, Gianna Fasulo, Savannah Jackson, Ian Rios, Audrey McGovern, & Hailey Sanchez
Not About Nightingales
Written by: Tennessee Williams
All Williamstown Production photos by Maria Baranova
A full stage shot, cages required assembling, floor lines required taping, and vinyl curtains required hanging.
William Jackson Harper kneeling in front of the US Doorway and "hell" drop.
Photo of the haze from backstage while subbing as a flyrail operator for a night of tech.
Directed by Robert O’Hara
Assistant Director Rakesh Palisetty
Scenic Designer Diggle; Associate Scenic Designer Marie Laster
Technical Directors David Difabio & Ethan Morgan; Assistant Technical Directors Todd Deaver & Juan Valles; Carpenters Cordel Miner, Juliana Zaharevich, Gianna Fasulo, Savannah Jackson, Ian Rios, Audrey McGovern, & Hailey Sanchez
The Gig: After Moise and the World of Reason at the ice rink.
Changeover included setting up on-ice seating on both sides of the rink.
All Williamstown Production photos by Maria Baranova.
Got a truss crossbar on two towers in a space that was not designed to be rigged in.
The position was immediately cut as you could not safely put lights on the structure.
An initial look for the Williamstown Cabaret, held on the MainStage.