Sarah Tynan

Script Analysis
In three sentences describe what is going on in the opening scene that informs
you as a Designer: It is a memory play. Tom opens the play talking about the time period and
who he is. His mom and Laura are eating dinner while Amanda yells at Tom to chew his food.
List ANY intuitive thoughts or images that come to mind after this first read
through: Fragile, urban, classy (or at least attempting to be)
Describe:
Mood: Dreary, dim, anxious, unsatisfaction, suffocating environment
When and Where it takes place: It takes place in their apartment in St Louis. 1937. Lower,
middle class.
Conflict(s): Laura is shy and insecure. Amanda is hopeful that a boy will come along
for Laura. Amanda puts a lot of her attention on Laura. Amanda had a more exciting
youth than Laura. Tom is overshadowed.
Characters: Laura(crippled, shy, insecure), Tom (play is told through Tom’s pov,
negatuve, overshadowed), Amanda (uptight, paranoid, anxious).
Areas of Focus: Center platform
Ideas of the Playwright/about the Playwright: Tenesse Williams, writes about stories
within southern states.
Colors, Textures, Linear Quality, Shape/Forms, and/or Qualities of Light: cool
colors, greys, brown, wooden, hexagon platforms, dim lighting, candlelight, journal
entries, everything is a little worn and faded.
Are there Principals of Design that can be exploited to support the text and/or
characters: Balance, Harmony, Unity

Director/Designer Statement
Memory is very faded. Details are not too important when it comes to memory. It
is more important to get the overall picture when recalling events in life. “The Glass
Menagerie” is a “memory play” by Tennesse Williams. For this production, the story is
being told through Tom’s perspective. What does this reveal about Tom and his
thinking? Are the character’s authentic to themselves or is this how Tom sees them?
For the set I wanted to emphasize the overall picture rather than the details. It is
a very bare and stripped down set. This play took place in St. Louis 1937, during the
Great Depression. The set will look a little worn with minimal color to emphasize the
lack of financial stability during the time. There are only four stools, one table, candles
and additional props the characters will need during the show. This allows the actors to
focus more on the story rather than the details of what everything looked like
specifically. I decided to make the set really dark with dark, wooden, hexagon platforms.
The lights will look more dim for the majority of the show. Using candles within the set
helps illuminate the stage but also adds to the rustic and minimalist energy for the
production.This set has a dreary mood because Tom is a very negative character, I
wanted the environment to match Tom’s energy. In the background of the set I have
hanging journal entries or articles. The idea is to emphasize the “memory play” and to
portray Tom’s thoughts about the events that have occured in the play.

Research Board
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Props:
PROP/SET DRESSING WHERE WHO HOW MANY ACT/SCENE
Stools All three platforms N/A 4 1/1
Table 1st platform N/A 1 1/1
Table cloth On Table N/A 1 1/1
Glass Figurines Third platform Laura 3 1/1
A pack of Cigarettes On Tom Tom 1 1/1
Lighter On Tom Tom 1 1/1

Ground Plan
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