El Paso Kids-N-Co.
I’ve been working with community theater El Paso Kids-N-Co. since 2007, first as a student doing acting, tech operation (lights and sound) backstage work like prop construction and stage management, all the way to today where I write and direct full productions as well as film productions, and do scenic design and painting. Below are photos of work I’ve done during my time with the company.
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | With a production inspired by the works of Hayao Miyazaki, this version of The Phantom Tollbooth called for abstract scenic design where I created imagery inspired by elements from Miyazaki's films. Pictured here, one side of each periaktoi used. This side featured images inspired by specific characters form the films. From left to right: Calcifer (Howl's Moving Castle) No Face (Spirited Away) Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro) and the Forest Spirit (Princess Mononoke)
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | The periaktos featuring an image inspired by Calcifer from 'Howl's Moving Castle'
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | The periaktos featuring an image inspired by No Face from 'Spirited Away'
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | The periaktos featuring an image inspired by Totoro from 'My Neighbor Totoro'
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | The periaktos featuring an image inspired by the Forest Spirit from 'Princess Mononoke'
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | All the periaktoi on the stage with part of the background flats visible showing the grassy field and clouds painted to invoke similar imagery form Miyazaki's films. Also featured is the car prop used in the show.
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | The periaktoi's second side featuring Japanese text that was relevant to the story and characters. I no longer remember what each one means.
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | A close up of the car. Designed after the titular Castle in 'Howl's Moving Castle' with an image of Calcifer featured behind the grill. This facade was made with painted, layered cardboard to give a three dimensional look as the lights hit the piece. The cardboard was attached to a wooden from on wheels so the actors could stand behind it and easily manuver it across the stage. The headlights we made from two large flashlights pulled apart and attached to a light switch mounted to the opposite side in the wooden frame so the actors could turn the headlights on and off for a particular sequence we staged completely in the dark. The electrical elements were implemented by Technical Advisor Jaime Lupercio.
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | The car with the headlights turned on.
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | A close up of the grill on the car.
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | Part of the flats that made up the background. This section features an homage to the bathhouse from 'Spirited Away'
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | A close up of a cloud from the background flats. Special care was taken to add the detail of the outer edge fo the cloud and the curved corners. Not super noticeable by the audience, but it's these extra details that can bring a set more to life.
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | The third side periaktoi, painted completely black with velcro attached across it. This was done ot create a modular side of the periaktoi so that individual pieces could be brought in and stuck on so as to represent another area. Featured in this image are a series of eyes used for the pitch-black sequence. These eyes were painted white and then gone over again with glow in the dark paint, so when the lights went out and the periaktoi were turned around, the eyes surrounded the actors.
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | A close up of the eyes.
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | More of the background flats, this section featuring mountains.
From: The Phantom Tollbooth (Oct. 2014) Dir. Mia Carreon | This image was the very beginning of the show - Milo's bedroom. This was how the set was configured during preshow, and the lead actor would come in and lie on the bed once the show began.