Shakespeare’s Other Women
This was an anthology of monologues written from the point-of-view of the of the women of Shakespeare’s great works. Instead of one poster, I created three, each one depicting a character with a powerful story and striking beauty. By tightening the frame on the image, I was able to draw attention to the eyes, evoking a sense of mystery. This translated even more clearly when these posters were printed and hung around campus. They could be side-by-side or separate, but the composition and color palette created a sense of uniformity that made these images instantly recognizable and effective adverts.
VOTE
My first poster designed for the School of Drama, VOTE was written by an OU Alumni and presented as part of the Student Playwrights Festival (SPF). A seemingly innocent high school race for Student Council president gone awry, this play is witty and campy with a strong female ensemble. “Vote for me, or else…”
Biloxi Blues
Neil Simon’s hit comedy Biloxi Blues explores the conflict between Arnold Epstein (left) and Sergeant Merwin J. Toomey (right) told through the eyes of an 18-year-old, Eugene Morris (center) in 1945 Biloxi, Mississippi. Taking inspiration from the costume designer, I chose a color palette that complemented the earth tones of their uniforms. The typeface and overall design of the poster referenced 1940s advertisements. Photographs were taken and edited by me then composited onto the poster.
Angels in America
A heartbreaking two-part play set amidst the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches & Perestroika, tells the story of Prior Walter as he navigates his homosexuality, relationships and personal health. Because it was being presented in two parts, with only one actor overlapping in both plays, I needed to create a cohesive visual identity that evoked a sense of fear—fear of the unknown, fear of loss, fear of being alone. Additionally, I felt strongly about not shying away from how impactful the AIDS virus was to this character’s physical body. I photographed and manipulated the images to place Prior, played by Chase Durrett, into a void and when lined up next to each other, the images show Prior reaching for himself as he falls (or floats) in this unknown space.
2017-2018 Season Poster
As a side project, I proposed that the School of Drama advertise their upcoming season with a new visual that leaned into an abstract, contemporary design.
I and You
For this play, I worked with a student director under a tight deadline. With no time to utilize photography as the central graphic, I drafted a sketch of this poster. A major plot point is the main character’s illness, and in order not to give that away, we decided on a simple silhouette set against a beautiful night sky, evoking hope and tenderness.