Visual & Lighting Notes:
- Warm tones for pre-storm coziness, shifting to dim and flickering lights as the storm worsens.
- Shadows & Silhouettes through the mirror and hatch area for dramatic moments.
- Use of space to highlight tension—characters crammed together, using levels (bunk beds, stools) to maximize physical comedy.
The set Transforms into a Disco Night Club by rotating the walls. On the back side of the storm shelter flat is the wall for the Disco Club
Here is the basic look of the set with characters.
- UPSTAGE (U) – KITCHEN EXIT
- A visible door or archway leading to the house. This serves as an escape route and a reminder of the world outside the storm.
- A coffee station sits near the exit, a staple for JD and Irma, adding warmth to the otherwise tense environment.
- UP LEFT (UL) – HATCH & STORAGE AREA
- A hatch leading to an attic or extra storage (symbolic of hidden secrets and past baggage).
- A bookcase with outdated titles, family Bibles, a hidden long-forgotten wedding photo of Irma & JD and old magazines.
- CENTER STAGE – MAIN LIVING AREA
- A love seat and JD’s chair (his throne, resistant to change).
- The bunk bed unit serves as both seating and sleeping space, emphasizing the cramped, makeshift nature of the shelter.
- UP RIGHT (UR) – BATHROOM UNIT
- A small, enclosed bathroom for privacy.
- This becomes a comedic hotspot as multiple characters fight for access throughout the play.
- DOWN LEFT (DL) – STOOL & PERSONAL ITEMS
- An ottomon for side conversations or intimate moments.
- DOWN RIGHT (DR) – COMEDIC & CHAOTIC ENTRY POINT
Visual & Lighting Notes:
- Warm tones for pre-storm coziness, shifting to dim and flickering lights as the storm worsens.
- Shadows & Silhouettes through the mirror and hatch area for dramatic moments.
- Use of space to highlight tension—characters crammed together, using levels (bunk beds, stools) to maximize physical comedy.
The set Transforms into a Disco Night Club by rotating the walls. On the back side of the storm shelter flat is the wall for the Disco Club
Here is the basic look of the set with characters.
Stage Design for “Under the Rainbow ” (Single Set, Two-Act Production)
Setting: A converted storm shelter/garage in West Texas, cluttered but functional, serving as an emergency refuge during a tornado. The space reflects the personalities of JD and Irma, the aging conservative couple, with practicality at the forefront but hints of nostalgia and old-fashioned decor.
Layout & Key Elements:
- UPSTAGE (U) – KITCHEN EXIT
- A visible door or archway leading to the house. This serves as an escape route and a reminder of the world outside the storm.
- A coffee station sits near the exit, a staple for JD and Irma, adding warmth to the otherwise tense environment.
- UP LEFT (UL) – HATCH & STORAGE AREA
- A hatch leading to an attic or extra storage (symbolic of hidden secrets and past baggage).
- A bookcase with outdated titles, family Bibles, a hidden long-forgotten wedding photo of Irma & JD and old magazines.
- CENTER STAGE – MAIN LIVING AREA
- A love seat and JD’s chair (his throne, resistant to change).
- The bunk bed unit serves as both seating and sleeping space, emphasizing the cramped, makeshift nature of the shelter.
- UP RIGHT (UR) – BATHROOM UNIT
- A small, enclosed bathroom for privacy.
- This becomes a comedic hotspot as multiple characters fight for access throughout the play.
- DOWN LEFT (DL) – STOOL & PERSONAL ITEMS
- An ottomon for side conversations or intimate moments.
- DOWN RIGHT (DR) – COMEDIC & CHAOTIC ENTRY POINT
Visual & Lighting Notes:
- Warm tones for pre-storm coziness, shifting to dim and flickering lights as the storm worsens.
- Shadows & Silhouettes through the mirror and hatch area for dramatic moments.
- Use of space to highlight tension—characters crammed together, using levels (bunk beds, stools) to maximize physical comedy.
The set Transforms into a Disco Night Club by rotating the walls. On the back side of the storm shelter flat is the wall for the Disco Club
Here is the basic look of the set with characters.