THREE SISTERS
Design Process Notes

Theatre Fairfield

director: Yvonne Conybeare
sets: Michele Fields    lights: Lynne Chase
costumes: Julie Leavitt   sound: Amanda Xeller

From Promising Spring to Winter Chill

The conversations between the director and I evolved into the decision that the Prozerov's house, though originally fashionable and tasteful has been neglected and become worn. It is dreary, and dark. We understand why they would like to leave.

Against this unifying idea, stands the arc of the play. The action begins hopefully. The characters are looking forward to the future. As the action progresses, things look bleaker. The characters descend into hopelessness. The resulting lighting ideas are outlined in the summary below. After confirming with the director that we both agreed on this, I used this summary for decision-making as I developed the plot and wrote the cues. Following the summary are some show photos illustrating these looks in performance.

Lighting ideas for Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS



ACT I: Sunny, Spring day

sunny, spring day at beginning of show, Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS

Spring light pours into the room from outside (upstage.) This is visible in the backlight presence: the bright areas on the floor upstage, the edge of light on Irina at the window and the backlight component in the light on Masha and Olga.

full stage look with lights focusing attention on living room-Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS

The characters are spread across the full stage width, but are largely absorbed in individual thoughts.
Though all are lit, the scripted action clearly is taking place at the far end.

ACT II: Dark, pools of light, isolated

isolation in candlelight and moonlight from window--Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS

Though moonlight streams through the window, Nataliya and Prozorov are isolated as though lit from the single candle

Vershinin and Masha in puddle of candlelight--Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS

Moonlight from outside, but the primary light on Masha and Vershinin is from the single candle on the table

light in living room while servant clears table in moonlight--Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS

Moonlight and candlelight--the candlelight has been theatrically expanded to light the scene, while the servant at stage left clears the table by moonlight

Irina in moonlight. All the candles have been taken--Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS

All candles have been taken. Irina is by herself in the moonlight

ACT III: Pools of light from single source

light isolated to the bedroom--Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS

Oil lamp as single source. The look has been filled in for audience visibility. Room is isolated from outdoors by the night.

puddle of light in bedroom, dark night--Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS

In contrast to previous scenes, there is little moonlight now. The room has been isolated from the outside. The only light is the puddle created by the oil lamp (which is not visible because it's behind Chebutykin.)

Day dawns

day has dawned and the three sisters discuss momentous topics--Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS

As day dawns with a chilly morning light, the room brightens. The sisters' moods do not.

ACT IV: Sunny, cold, winter approaching

cold, outdoors, winter approaching--Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS

Desolate, chilly light as winter approaches

Three unhappy sisters--Theatre Fairfield's THREE SISTERS

Three unhappy sisters and a dispassionate Chebutykin

See the THREE SISTERS gallery page for additional production photos.

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