Julius Caesar (2021)

Set in 1919 post-war Italy, this dynamic production focused on telling the timeless story of Julius Caesar in a layered, kinesthetic, and visually-interesting way. Women played several major roles, including Cassius and Antony, lending commentary on power within politics and human relationships.

I approached this project with dance lighting techniques in mind. To create layering onstage, I built booms on the sides of the playing space, which was slightly unconventional for our blackbox arena theater. I also created a convention using a white backlight, using it first for Caesar’s assassination. The light came back with Caesar’s ghost, and again when Cassius and Brutus commit suicide. This convention connected their deaths to Caesar’s ghost, lending emotional weight to those scenes.

Programmed on IonXe console.

Director: Linda Hartzell

Costume Design: Dennis Wright

Scenic Design: Michael Kraczek

Hair/Makeup Design: Marnee Porter

Sound Design: Gabriella Warnick

Photography: Beau Pearson