Properties Design and Set Dressing by Laura Merrill

Foothill Theater Arts (Los Altos Hills, CA) February 2025

Book and Lyrics by Chad Beguelin

Directed by Milissa Carey

Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage upon which to shine once more. So, when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. Local girl, Emma Nolan, wants to take her girlfriend to prom, but the PTA are on a mission to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow.  The entire town has a date with destiny when Broadway’s brassiest join forces with a courageous girl to kick-ball-change the world. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical and a hit Netflix film, everyone’s invited to this joyous Broadway show with a message of love that resonates now more than ever.

This show needed a lot of specific set dressing due to the many different places we end up throughout the show. The Apple Bees needed not only contemporary table settings but customized (resin) drinks for each of the characters. Tom Hawkins’ office was specifically difficult because of how fast the scene change was so I added all the wall dressing to a corkboard for easy removal. Emma’s room was probably my favorite out of the whole design. Her room is that of a growing teenager with childhood pictures mixed with women’s rights posters and musical artist memorabilia.

Some notable pieces created for this production include:

• 3D printed Tony awards painted with acrylic paint and glazed

• 3D printed Drama Desk award painted with acrylic paint and glazed

• Several no spill drinks made from resin

• “My Body My Choice” poster on cardboard with acrylic paint