Douglas Clarke

Dead Man's Cell Phone

Selected Category: Set Design

Category: Set Design

Design Statement

With Dead Man’s Cell Phone, we wanted to embolden the conversation between the digital world and our own humanity within it, through the ethereal lens that Sarah Ruhl’s writing so poetically sets forth. The main gesture of the design is that of a pipeline that connects our world with that of the afterlife, though represented in a more domineering digital version, with the use of a skyscraper that buckles as it lifts off from being the floor then thrusting upward. The reflective quality itself is another opportunity for self-reflection. The world was designed to breath and release upward to the celestial heavens, but also allows for focus and intimacy. Part of that was to focus on the various types of furniture to exhibit the quirkiness of the personalities of the various characters. The other gesture was that of a woman’s face, as Jean opens up to Dwight. We see her come out from behind her coffee cup, exposing her vulnerability.

Gallery

<Photo Credit> Douglas Clarke

<Photo Credit> JD Madsen

<Photo Credit> Stan Barouh

<Photo Credit> Stan Barouh

<Photo Credit> Stan Barouh

<Photo Credit> Stan Barouh

Douglas Clarke

Douglas Clarke is an independent regional designer based out of Denver, Colorado USA. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, he earned his BA in Theatre and BFA in Art from Arizona State University. After internships at Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and Phoenix Theatre, he earned his MFA in Theatre Design from The University of Maryland. Douglas received a regional award for Best Scenic Design for End of the Rainbow at Phoenix Theatre, similar nominations for Night Mother and Rabbit Hole at Vintage Theatre in Denver, and Calendar Girls at Phoenix Theatre. Douglas has designed New York premieres of Coffee and Biscuit for Fallen Swallow/Laughing Pigeon & Unity 1918 for Project: Theater and has assisted Connie Furr- Soloman on The Christians at Playwrights Horizons and Dan Conway on By the Way, Meet Vera Stark at The Juilliard School. He continues to design in Maryland, North Carolina, Nebraska, Colorado, and Arizona; primarily designing contemporary plays, musicals, and theatre for youth.

Email Address: douglas.a.clarke@gmail.com

Theatre Company School of Theatre Dance and Performace Studiesat the University of Maryland

The Premiere Date of Production 2013-03-01

The Premiere Space of Production Ina & Jack Kay Theatre

Author Sarah Ruhl

Director/ Choreographer KJ Sanchez

Set Designer Douglas Clarke

Lighting Designer Andrew Cissna

Costume Designer Kelsey Hunt

Sound Designer Christopher Baine

Projection and Multi-Media Designer Douglas Clarke

Other Creative Collaborator/s Dramaturg - Anjna Swaminathan