Senior Statement--Maryn E.

Munley-- Scenic Design--"Bringing the Message Home"

As a fresh faced first year I had no idea what my path at Goshen would be or what it meant to Follow Your Heart to lead one to their passions. This design would not have been possible without the exploration and discovery from my early years at Goshen: theatre has the potential for transformative communication and that a constant commitment to be environmentally cognizant is imperative. Unfortunately, my two ethics do not regularly converge. In theatre, a set is built to be temporary, convenient, and cheap, typically resulting in a great deal of waste. This production was determined to be more intentional and responsible with our consumption. This eco-conscious commitment challenged me as a designer. This dedication to environmental mindfulness forced a certain amount of flexibility and fluidity in my design. The typical process of design and production could not be followed in the same fashion because the uncertainty of our ability to attain particular materials or objects. I was pushed to prioritize my desired visual elements with their environmental consequences. The production team had to be nimble and creative with our tactics. And, certainly, this process would not have been possible without the willingness of this community to support this endeavor. The stage would look very bare without the copious amounts of help received from the people on this campus. The environment has had a strong influence on my design. Not only has my love for the natural world motivated a more eco-conscious approach to the production of my design but it also was fundamental to the visual design as well. The colors and textures of this production came from a backpacking trip to Yellowstone as well as our very own city of Goshen . The oranges and browns were pulled from my pictures of the filamentous bacteria mats on the hot springs, blues and grays came from the cool pools of water and mountainsides, the floor pattern was inspired by the patterns on the Mammoth terraces, brick colors came from a factory on 9th Street, and other Goshen building inspired the additional textures and colors. The idea that such a degraded urban landscape was inspired by the colors and textures of the natural world has the biting irony and complexity fitting the character of Urinetown: the Musical. It was clear that this play had a poignant message of responsible resource use and justice. Visually referencing our community as Officer Lockstock says Don't you think people wanna be told that their way of life is unsustainable? promoted the candor and introspection that this script demands from the audience. This design is a convergence of my dedication for design, theatre, and the environment, made possible by the years of cultivating my passion at Goshen College. This atypical union was thorny at times, demanding creativity and adaptability in ways unlike any other production. The weeks of stress and sweat are more than worth the satisfaction from the amalgamation of my ardor for impactful theater and an environmentally conscious commitment.