My version of "RUINED"

1.      I suppose my vision for the play 'Ruined' would be how we let situations in our past hold us back from furthering ourselves. Many of the characters in this play have something holding them back from their true future, and like always, it takes another drastic experience to counteract the first. While of course the agony and struggle of war will be the pinnacle of what causes these problems, people always have to choice to move onward away from their troubles.

2.      I suppose I would choose for my version to play at the African Continuun Theatre in Washington DC.   They are based on ethnic relationships and the human condition. I believe it would be a great location due to the amount of struggle there is, and amidst the walls of the White House. War. Always war. Whether it be on the home front or not, it hits home. I'm sure it would be enjoyed for those who would choose to see it, since it would be the genre specified for the theatre they're going to. 

3.      I would have one of those old western bar/prostitution houses. All wood with stairs on both sides leading around, and a hidden back. Nothing too much around other than a few tables with chairs, some bar stools and a space for dancing and performing. Outside lay plains of low grass with scattered trees in the distance. No other buildings are around on this deserted dirt road. The place is two stories and run down.

4.      For costumes I would have Mama dressed in a medium blue cloth wrapped around her, along with a rolled up cloth on her head.

      For Josephine I see a pale yet pretty pink silk like dress that shows off her figure.

      Salima would be ragged looking but still attractive at the same time. She might have a decent face, but her body makes up for the pain in her eyes. Sophie is just a beautifully made young woman, with elegant attire, and hair always attended to as Josephine’s is as well.

      Mr. Harari would be in a cream colored suit as it would make sense around the dusty surroundings, and being as he always loses his shoes.

      Christian I would see to be a more casual dresser, sporting some cargo shorts along with a t-shirt and button up short sleeve left unbuttoned. The miners, I see as dirty and with their hardhats still on, and dressed in overalls. The rebel soldiers would be scruffy looking and in black and red uniforms somewhat covered in blood, yet hard to tell with the red already on the uniform. Also, the men wore caps slightly tipped to the side. The rebel leader, Kisembe, would have a slightly cleaner cut uniform with brighter red stripes along the sides. His cap would be upright and rises higher than the others, with a red star atop.

      The government soldiers have clean cut uniforms of darker green and black, yet still also with blood amongst the colors. The Government Military leader, Osembenga, would have a slightly brighter green color along with his ranking along his chest and cap.

      The other women of the house would all be wearing gowns as if to sleep in since they have no real importance other than to be there. The aid workers would be in grey jumpsuits with hard caps.

5.      The lighting would be very dim and have the aura of a sunset. Depending on the mood shifts, I would like for some scenes to have a moonlit feel to evoke the chillness of night. At some points I would like for the light to be centered on Sophie in her singing. Not totally blocking out everyone else, yet leaving them in dimmer lighting to further aim her words recognition. Also, in the scenes between Mama and Christian, I would like for there to be light and dark shades. Maybe half light on Christian’s side, and half darker on Mama’s side to show the difference in their showings of emotions. When there are soldiers from either side I would like the lighting to be red, as red as the bloody battlefield of war. For they carry the blood of others along their paths of fury. Since Sophie is never made to do any deeds with men, I would like her lighting to be a soft white as she is as delicate as a white rose petal at the moment.

6.       For the sound, I would like it to be as though even the slightest whisper could be heard at the back of the theatre. Maybe everyone would have individual microphones set up in their costumes. All I would ask is for the whispers and secrets of that sort be acknowledged by the actors, to let be known that in fact what is being said is also being kept from reaching others ears. With the gunfire in the background, I would like it to be very scattered and unpredictable yet always somewhere in the background to show that this war just won’t let up. Dealing with the sounds of the forest would come about when there are awkward silences and serious times of discussion. Again, even in the forest noises during silence and discussion, I would like a very distance yet subtle version gunfire in the background. Other than that, I’m good.