Production on Singin' in the Rain started in February of 2007. From the start we knew that the set design was going to be challenging. We had a show that not only took place in over 20 different locations but there was a 17 piece orchestra and no space for a pit. And oh yes.... it had to rain on stage. The Kelsey theatre is a wonderful space to work in but it doesn't have a fly system and it lacks wing space. It was decided early on that the sets would be representational with just a few set elements being used to give the impression of the location. In order to give us the largest dance space without worrying about holes in the floor we descided to create a 24x10 foot rain wagon that would be used in the shows title number. This wagon would be rolled down stage to catch the 200 gallons of water that fell on our lead every night. We then had two major obsticals to overcome. where to put the pit and how to work around this large rolling set piece that was only used in two scenes in the show. For the pit we went back to an idea that we had kicked around once before. Lets raise them up.... I sketched out a design for a raised pit platform and Jeff Cantor our master builder went to work making it a reality. Complete with front and back escape stairs and a safety railing. We then created a series of set pieces, flats, consoles, benches and chairs that would be used to represent the different settings in the show. Our stage crew then started rehearsing as hard as the actors, working on timing and coordination in setting up the scenes. Getting props on and off, timing curtains and drop cues and working our the bugs in the rain system. Since many of the scenes blend from one to the other, which ment that the crew would be moving scenery while a scene was running. To make this work we dressed them in 1920 workmans outfits so that they could blend in with the cast.
Then Chris Ghaffoor tide the whole setting together with his lighting design.