Based on the popularity of Live Design's 31 Days Of Plots in December each year, we have decided to present Plot Of The Week, with a light plot (or plots) per week until December 2023, when the next 31 Days Of Plots begins.
This week's plot features Anne McMills' lighting design for Marie and Rosetta, which has been selected by the USITT PQ 23 jury and curators to be featured in the USITT PQ 23 National Exhibit. The design will be featured both in digital and physical format at the Prague Quadrennial conference this summer (June 2023) in Prague, Czech Republic for the two-week event. The Prague Quadrennial (or the “PQ”) has taken place every four years since 1967 and is known globally as “a celebration and an opportunity for performing arts professionals from around the world to come to one place and share their work, ideas, and thoughts."
"Marie and Rosetta is a play that explores the first rehearsal and the budding relationship between real-life trail-blazing musicians Sister Rosetta Tharpe (known by many as the “Godmother of Rock ‘n’ Roll”) and Marie Knight. It goes on to chronicle the journey that makes them one of the greatest duos in music history and Rosetta’s influence on rock and roll icons like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, and Little Richard," notes McMills.
"The importance of producing this play was not lost on me. Two incredible, Black female LGBTQIA+ musicians largely lost to history and usurped by mostly white cisgender male icons felt like a poignant and important story to tell. I wanted to help unearth these two women and let their talent and enormous influence on the history of rock and roll shine," McMills explains.
"The entire play is located in the showroom of a funeral home. At the time (1940’s) in the segregated South, Marie and Rosetta had to sleep in whatever beds they could find as they toured the country. Rosetta notes that a funeral home can be a “miracle;” complete with caskets in which to sleep," concludes the LD.
Marie & Rosetta
Playwright: George Brant
Produced by: Cygnet Theatre
Opening Date: January 19th, 2019
Venue:
Cygnet Theatre, Old Town San Diego, San Diego, CA 92110
Production Team:
Directed By: Rob Lutfy
Music Direction: Leonard Patton Set Design By: Elizabet Puksto Costume Design By: Chanel A. Mahoney
Lighting Design: Anne E. McMills Sound Design By: TJ Fucella
Wig & Makeup Design: Peter Herman
Stage Manager: Matthew Bantock
Production Manager: Craig Campbell
Technical Director: Branigan Duguay
Lighting Team:
Lighting Designer: Anne E. McMills
Assistant Lighting Design: Winston G. Limauge
Programmer: Mitchell Jakubka
Head Electrician: Skeeter Barraza
Photos by:
Karli Cadel Photography
Sean Fanning
Winston G. Limauge
Gear List:
8 ETC Source Four – 19°
29 ETC Source Four – 26°
19 ETC Source Four – 36°
8 ETC Source Four – 50°
6 ETC Source Four LED Series 2 Lustr – 19°
2 ETC Source Four PAR VNSP
2 ETC Source Four PAR NSP
24 ETC Source Four PAR MFL
11 ETC Source Four PAR WFL
6 ETC Selador Desire D40 Vivid Medium Round
3 ETC Selador Desire D40 Vivid Wide Round
4 ETC Selador Desire D40 Lustr+ Medium Round
2 ETC ColorSource PAR Wide Oval
2 PAR20 Birdie
1 L&E MR-16 Mini-Strip
18 Wybron CXI-IT
6 Rosco I-Cue
6 Apollo DMX Iris
1 Ultratec Radiance Hazer