GHOST QUARTET

Set Design

In the foreground an actor sits on the edge of a platform. Another actor is in the background on a different platform. They are both playing musical instruments.
Two actors stand on different platforms. The one in the foreground is holding a tambourine in one hand and raising a toast with her glass in her other hand.
Full stage photo of the set. 4 actors stand and sit in various places on the set. The set consists of 7 platforms of varying heights. Paper stars hang from the ceiling. Photographer Avery Wood.

"A song cycle about love, death, and whiskey. A camera breaks and four friends drink in an interwoven tale spanning seven centuries, with a murderous sister, a treehouse astronomer, a bear, a subway, and the ghost of Thelonious Monk."

-From author Dave Malloy's website

This production of Ghost Quartet was presented as a student directed production at Playwrights Horizons Tisch School. It took place in the Robert Moss black box Theatre. The challenge was to design mostly from stock on a shoestring budget. I was able to design remotely from Florida with the help of director Avery Wood and assistant scenic designer Claire McGinlay.

Ghost Quartet Packet.pdf
Closeup of an illuminated paper star.

Stars are a central motif in Ghost Quartet, so we made the decision early on to have a ceiling filled with hanging paper stars. Later we collaborated with the lighting designer so that some of the stars would have the ability to light up for a special reveal for the finale.

A technician works to hang an illuminated paper star from the ceiling.

Creative Team

Director: Avery Wood

Music Director: Cameron Frye

Scenic Design: Syd Deines

Assistant Scenic Design: Claire Evelyn McGinlay

Lighting Design: Ellen Mimi Schlecht

Costume Design: Helen Strickland

Assistant Costume Design: Grace Zophia Alberti

Stage Manager: Tori Oatway

Photos provided by Avery Wood