News

Ragtime with Griffin Theatre | The Sky Drop

7/1/2017

I had the delight to work with one of my favorite scenic designers in the city William Boles. He designed a beautiful monochromatic set that illuminated the vibrant story and characters of Ragtime. But it wasn't all black and white. I also got the distinct pleasure to paint a sky backdrop. It is so rare these days to actually paint a drop here in Chicago. No one seems to have the time or money. I am so grateful I got to rock out my skills on a beautiful sky full of gorgeous clouds.

Read more to learn about the process of the sky drop below!

Improv: the new frontier!

4/26/2017

At the urging of some good friends from my theatre softball league I decided that I taking an Improv class. Improv has always set my brain on fire and the process of it always looked like magic to me. My intrigue started when I saw an episode of "Whose Line Is It Anyway" a short form show on air in the late 90's .

Their World: an independent film

7/18/2014

I've known Brett for about 13 years now. Circumstances brought him home for the summer and to bide his time until he heads back to L.A. he had a couple of projects lined up. We were at the bar about a month ago when he approached me with his idea for a short film. I read the script and he asked me if I was interested in helping. The part that intrigued me most was the first costumes we see our main characters in. These characters have been wandering for months and are refugees of something horrible. I got very excited about how these costumes could really tell a whole story. There isn't much dialogue in the script so the surroundings and clothing really get to tell you a lot of the story.

Read more about my process of distressing the clothing below...

Our Fair City and the Big Dig: Season Five Launch Party

7/12/2014

photo courtesy of Sebastian Orr Photography

The Our Fair City Launch parties are some of the most fun I have had designing. This time we were back in the Dfibralator space near Milwaukee and Ashland. Last time we were in this space we hung a huge cloud and really compressed the space. This time we decided to use the height to our advantage. The theme this time was an exciting combination of elements from the space race and elements from Chicago's world fair. What the team really wanted to capture was the feeling and excitement of impending progress.

Read More about the style, theme, and other design elements below!

Independent Film Dabblings

4/2/2014

I have always been enamored by the world of independent films. They have a certain kind of magic that my theatre brain has yet to fully dissect. I am making more time in my life to explore the little things that have always piqued my interest and I look forward to working more in the land of film.

The first time I was exposed to independent film making was back in senior year of high school...

To find out more about my foundations and future in independent film Read More Below

My Adventures in Networking

3/12/2014

I've come to a point in my Arbonne career where I want to meet people outside of my demographic. Specifically people who are not friends with twenty-something theatre people. Since I am a part of the theatre network here in Chicago, finding people outside of it has been hard for me. Which led me to explore the world of networking. Before last night I had never been to a proper networking event. I think the term networking is so boring and stodgy. It sounds like a bunch of pushy people who are talking to you about why they're SO great. I like to replace the word network with connect and then the whole endeavor becomes much friendlier.

To find out more about the event and what I learned read below...

Making Scrapbooks for Others

2/24/2014

Back before Christmas I was looking for other avenues for my artistic skills. It was recommended that I check out Taskrabbit. It is a wonderful site to pick up some odd jobs and a way to fit some more money into your month. One of the posts that I was drawn to was a posting for a scrapbook. A young woman was looking for a crafty person to create a scrapbook for her father's Christmas present. I was intrigued from the moment I saw it.

To Find out about my challenges and discoveries Read More Below...

University of Illinois Portfolio Review 2014

2/16/2014

Yesterday I attended one my favorite events of the year. I always look forward to the University of Illinois Theatre Department Portfolio Review. It's my chance to talk to current students in the program about what the theatre scene is like in Chicago and my experiences that I've gained working for almost 4 years in the "real world". My desire to pursue theatre has waned but my drive to help my former faculty and current students has not.

For tips and highlights of some of the conversations...
Read More Below!

Wanderlust

2/6/2014

I am a woman consumed by wanderlust. This super brutal winter has broke the camel's back and proved to me that Illinois is probably not my forever home. I am in need of a slice of life from a bunch of new places. Illinois has been my home for 27 years and we have had a great run. But now comes the time to begin my quest to find a new place to make my home.

To find out more about my list and criteria Read Below!

The Things I've Gained

10/25/2013

Earlier in September I got let go from my full time job. It was a little bit of a shock but I was already planning an exit strategy of my own. I guess the universe thought my timeline was a little too slow and conservative. You just gotta roll with it and take it as it comes. Instead of looking at the things I've lost I am going to look at the opportunities I gain.
Read more below...

These are Creative Times

Steph has worked in the Chicago storefront theatre scene for the past 12 years mastering how to do it good, quick, and cheap.

She received her BFA in Scenic Design/Art from the University of Illinois - Urbana.

In addition to Scenic Art, Steph is a resident Jill-of-all-trades and an avid traveler on her way to relocating to the Pacific Northwest.

Follow her adventures on Instagram at @char.darling .

Thanks much to all of my friends and family for their continued support!

Up Next!

Timeline | The Audience

Categories

Archives

April 2017
July 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
October 2013
August 2013
June 2013
April 2013
February 2013
January 2013
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
July 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
November 2009