Set Designer: Rachel Johnson

“The Seagull”

The Scenic Environment

The play takes an outdoor setting in the summer of late 19th century

at Sorin’s provincial, Russian estate and farm, and at the lake

surrounding it.

The Scenic Environment

Mood & Style

Mood & StyleThe opening lines set the tone for the entire play:Medviedenko: Why do you always wear mourning?

Masha: I dress in black to match my life. I’m unhappy.

Realistic SceneryIn this play I would like to show a more realistic view, resembling a

real life image by selecting

items to show off certain

feelings to the audience.

Locale and Period

Locale and PeriodThe décor,

furniture, and costumes conveys

what type of setting and time period the play

takes place.

Design ConceptThese are

some designs I used to

illustrate what I

wanted to come to

life for the play.

Design Concept

Central Image

Central ImageThe seagull is a central image because at

the beginning of the play for Nina it represented freedom. Later in the play,

Treplieff shoots the seagull and gives it to Nina saying that one day he will be dead

in her honor like the seagull. Trigorin then uses the seagull as a symbol

showing Nina that he will destroy her as Treplieff destroyed the seagull. As the

play shifts, so does the seagull symbolism for Nina as nothing but a bad omen.

Everything happens like it was said to be as Nina destroys herself from Trigorin’s infidelity and Treplieff commits suicide

when she stills do not love him.

Scenery Coordination

I and the lighting designer will coordinate with each other to

make the best look for the play such as interacting the light’s

color with the set to convey the time of day, the mood and

atmosphere, etc.

Practical Aspects of Scene Design

Proscenium Stage is the best to use for this play to capture a more realistic,

open style.

No boundaries between the spaces on set, and for the materials there will be

a gauze on the wire mesh so the audience can see the lighting which creates interesting shadows on the

back wall.