Possessing Harriet is the story of a slave woman convinced to runaway to Canada. Based on a real woman Harriet Powell, this play tells her story and how he must grapple with the idea of freedom and being separated from the only family she’s ever known. The play takes place in the attic of Gerrit Smith a real life abolitionist from Peterboro, NY , near Cazenovia. For this design I looked at slave quarters, slave holdings of ships and period room interiors. I wanted to retain elements from the compartmentalized slave quarters and combine them with a simple period room.
As Lighting Designer I wanted to capture the arc of the setting sun as Harriet is brought into the room midday and must leave by night fall. This also added to the pressure she was felling as she had to face the meaning of freedom and come to terms with leaving the only family she’d ever known. The lighting also played with the emotions within the scenes, as in the slave market monologue.
This was a very compelling story centered around two young women, who aren’t very different, except their skin color and place in life. It tells of the harrowing life of an abolitionist who is actively hiding and freeing runaway slaves.
Research: I was drawn to this image, the lighting and color palette
Research: drawing off the real house where slaves were hidden then transported through Syracuse, NY and then into Canada. The house burned down in. the 1930's
Research: slave quarters. I wanted to find a way to mix the slave quarters into the set of the room where runaway slaves were kept.
Research: I used the whitewashed paint treatment to reflect on the actual barn where Harriet and other runaway slaves passed through
Research: slave hold on a ship. I was drawn to this open center and compartmentalized sleeping areas on the side.
Research: Modest interior. I used period research to develop my 3rd story room where the runaways were kept. I was drawn to the warm light surrounded by cool light
Research: I used this color palette and fireplace for my interior. I was drawn to the warm light surrounded by cool light
Prod photo: Attic room where runaways were kept. You can see the warm center area surrounded by cool light
Prod photo: you can see the influence off the slave quarters and ship's hold on this interior space
Prod photo: as the day turned to night, the light greek cooler and shadows became heavier
Prod photo: slave market. As Harriet recounts her days in the market the lighting built up around her and became very warm like the blistering southern sun.
Research: I tried to capture the play between warm and cool and also the textured light
Dusk
Night falls, time to escape
contemplation- evening.