Properties Design by Laura Merrill

Foothill Theater Arts (Los Altos Hills, CA) May 2023

Directed by Sinjin Jones

Written by E.M Lewis

The story of one day in a small Oregon town and three families who are trying, in the most loving and human ways, to deal with death and dying. Rather than dwelling on the existential aspects of death, the play explores the practical questions surrounding death: which husband (the biological parent or the current, financially secure stepparent) should get the kids? How long after the death of a loved one should someone wait before starting to date again? How does a husband who wants to be buried beside his first wife make his current wife feel?

Because the set design represented the baggage we carry with us and how it shapes our lives, the properties design needed to be very specific in its symbolism. From a late husband’s favorite beer brand to geraniums sitting next to a loved one’s bedside promoting good health. Every property is specific and unique to the character holding it.

Some notable pieces made for this production include:

• Individual geraniums painted various colors.

  I found some cheap flowers on sale and painted them with various colors for each of the actors to hold during the last scene. I used fabric paint to color the petals.

• The opening suitcase made with 1/4” plywood and various scrap leather connecting the character's together in this story.

  I built a prop suitcase for our pre show set dressing. I fashioned the body out of plywood and glued pieces of different colored scrap leather to the outside. The inside was painted with a special “blackest black” paint to make the inside seem nebulous.

• The closing suitcase made to be a plot for planting the final geraniums and carrying Janie’s newest piece of emotional baggage.

  Janie comes out with a small black suitcase that opens up to be a small dirt plot to plant her geraniums in for her passed loved one. I glued floral foam into one side of the case and then glued moss, leaves, and grass onto that to create the effect.