Reprise Community
Theater & Workshop
Craft a community theater space that serves as both a workshop for creating sets, props, and costumes from reused materials and a stage for local productions.
Reuse in the Theater Industry
Traditional theater production can be wasteful and resource-intensive, with sets often discarded rather than broken down into recyclable components due to tight production schedules.
To address this, I designed a community theater hub that functions as a reuse workshop and can also transform into a stage with seating for performances, fostering both environmental sustainability and community engagement.
Traditional theater production can be wasteful and resource-intensive, with sets often discarded rather than broken down into recyclable components due to tight production schedules.
To address this, I designed a community theater hub that functions as a reuse workshop and can also transform into a stage with seating for performances, fostering both environmental sustainability and community engagement.
Design Research
I toured the Brown University John Street Studio, a spacious area where sets and props are created for the university's theater productions. I also explored the Brown University Stuart Theatre and the Lindemann Performing Arts Center to gain a deeper understanding of how these spaces function and how I might integrate both the workshop and stage environments into one cohesive space.
Flexible Furniture
To meet the needs of both spaces, I designed custom tables that can convert into stage components or seating risers, while workshop stools transform into stage steps.
Material
Theater sets produce significant wood waste, often discarded due to coatings or hardware; these tables and risers repurpose that surplus, reducing waste and giving new life to materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Adaptability
The site, an abandoned chapel with a spacious interior, offers great flexibility. As shown in these floor plan diagrams, the furniture can be reconfigured into multiple layouts to accommodate various programs, fostering creativity and collaboration.
Floor Plan View
Section View A-A
Section View B-B
Physical Models
Materials: Wood, Chipboard, Matboard