Possessing Harriet by Kyle Bass- scenic design
SUNY Cortland Dowd Mainstage 2022
Possessing Harriet is the story of a slave escaping to Canada through the Underground Railroad. Harriet is thrust into a new life. “What is freedom, What color is it”
Director, Rodney Hudson expressed an interest in the setting having a claustrophobic feeling, maintaining the tension of Anne Frank, where they could be caught at any moment. Playwright Kyle Bass gives a clear description of the setting:
THOMAS: Slaves built this house.
HARRIET: Slaves…?
THOMAS: mmhmm.
HARRIET: This far north?
THOMAS: Yes. [re: the room] This here’s old quarters.
Through my research of slave quarters and slave ships I was drawn to the use of the repetitive square shapes of the holds or bunk beds. I wanted to echo that in the architecture of house. Actual photos of the Gerrit Smith house exist and I was able to base my design on this historical evidence.
Rodney was a pleasure to work with. He and worked over Webex and I was able to edit 3D renderings and as we discussed ways to simplify the room to it’s bare necessities.
Concept Sketch- representing the small claustrophobic, third floor room. This room is a transient, space where slaves are briefly kept until they can be whisked away to freedom. I was draw to the repetitive squares of slave quarters and slave ships.
Slave ship research
Slave Quarter research- repetitive volume
Attic architecture, post and beam with exposed brick- inspired the fireplace.
A main piece of research- I was drawn to these cubes and spaces made by the posts and beams
Early concept sketch
preshow
Telling Harriet where she is, "you're in Peterboro now"
Elizabeth Cady
Set dressing detail
Spelling lesson
Having Proper Tea
Thomas describing the whipping of his Mother
Praying Harriet will find the way North
saying goodbye
Set detail with trees
Lighting effect
Post show look
Set Detail with Underground Railroad quilt
