Volume 2: Sets I've designed and or constructed (44 in all)

Photos and graphics are random as chosen.
Some plots may have changed slightly with director approval and/or construction requirements.

Set for "Four Faces of Checkov", Beowulf Alley Theatre Company, Tucson.
Set Design collaboration y Joel Charles and Steven Elton (show director). Set incorporated
original set for Pinter's "The Birthday Party", Beowulf Alley

"The Birtday Party" by Harold Pinter, produced on Beowulf Alley Stage.
 Set designer Joel Charles. Show director Howard Allen.
Note: the paint scheme and colors were chosen by the show director.

Peter Shaffer's "Black Comedy", directed by Nancy Arnfield, set, designed by Stephen Elton,
Construction by Joel Charles and Stephen Elton. Joel Charles stage manager, light board operator.

"Black Comedy" detail, bedroom level

Chekov set plot, preliminary color scheme 

Chekov, "Four Faces . . ."

Birthday party set, color scheme. Base plan of this set was
used for Chekov plot.

Review/article from AZ Daily Star, "Four Faces of Chekov"

Proscenium, red wrapped present frame, Truman Capote Memoir, "Holiday Memories"
Stage version by Russell Vandenbrouk,
Produced on Beowulf Alley Theatre Stage. directed by Carol Calkins
Set design and construction by Joel Charles

"Holiday Memories" setplot (top) and set photo (lower)

"Black Comedy" set

"Black Comedy" bedroom level construction

"Black Comedy" entrance and downstage level/steps

Top: "Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage" by Jane Martin, director Steve Anderson.
Set design Joel Charles, Scenic design painting William Galbreath. Bottom: Elevation, "Flaming Guns..."
This was my last set  for Beowulf.

Early concept drawing for "Flaming Guns..." 

John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men", Beowulf Alley Theater Co., Tucson, AZ
Set construction, Steven Elton and Joel Charles

Following three photos are of set for Gavin Kayner's "Thumbs" at Beowulf Alley.
Set design, build off and on site by Joel Charles

Full set, Desert Players' production of "Bus Stop"

Desert Players' "California Suite set. John Reid and Joel Charles, carpenters,
and Joel's first acting "job" as Sidney, the man from London.

Catalina Players' set for "Ages of Love" Trilogy. Set design, build and painting by Joel Charles

Set for "Crossing Elliott" @ Beowulf Alley by Michelle Sciarrone, final design by Joel Charles

Sketches for "Crossing Elliott", by James Bergseid, on which set was based

Porch for "Proof", Beowulf Alley stage, Tucson, AZ. Designer and show director Sheldon Metz,
Construction by Joel Charles, Bill Galbreath and Noah Trimm,

Chagal Stain Glass Window, copy on
2'X4' lucite sheet with wood frame for
"Grandma Sylvia's Funeral"
by Joel Charles

Diner set for William Inge's "Bus Stop" for Desert Players Theatre at
Arizona Theatre Company's Cabaret Theatre, Tucson, AZ.
Set design and Tech by Joel Charles, show director

Neil Simon's California Suite, Desert Players Theatre, Tucson.
Set design by Robert Ulsrud, Construction by Joel Charles and John Reid.
Joel was also the "gentleman from London in the play.

Full set view, "Ages of Love" three play production by Catalina Players
Set design, construction and painting by Joel Charles.
Center tryptic of  flats rotated on a pivot

Set for Bernard Slade's "Same Time Next Year" for Desert Players
Set design by Robert Ulsrud. Set pieces and construction by Joel Charles and John Reid.

Set for Larry Shue's "The Nerd". Set designer Robert Ulsrud , Construction by
Joel Charles and John Reid. Joel was Ticky Waldgrave in the play.

Set for Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park. Set designer Robert Ulsrud
Construction by Joel Charles as Desert Players Tech Director. On this set
I learned how to make a snow bag from an expert. 

"Bus Stop" set, diner kitchen, designer, director Joel Charles for Desert Players.
set pieces were built off site, furniture and stove were borrowed from local merchants.

Neil Simon's "Odd Couple" produced by  Desert Players on Tucson Ctr for the Performing Arts stage.
Set designer Joel Charles; show co-directors Joel Charles and Mark Erwin.
Set construction John Reid, Joel Charles, Mark Erwin and other volunteers.

Throne, castle tower and spiral stair for Hal Melfi's "Polonius Waits". Stair concept, Hal Melfi, engineering,
final design and painting by Joel Charles, construction by Hal Melfi and Joel Charles.
Throne designed and constructed by Joel Charles, who also played King Claudius. 

Set for Harvey Firestein, Desert Player Theatre production
Set designer Robert Ulsrud, Wicker door set piece by Joel Charles.
Construction Joel Charles and John Reid.

Set for Moss Hart's "Reach for the Sky", Quintessential Productions, Tucson, AZ.
Curved hotel window set piece in center  design and construction by Joel Charles.

Tower and spiral stair partially constructed. "Polonius Waits.
Dan Baerg and Joel Charles (standing) at top of tower.

Floor Plan of 12'X24' X1' stage at Wilde Playhouse, Welded steel frame by
William Parker, built off site. Design and construction by Joel Charles on site.

Joel Charles with boss and owner of
Wilde Playhouse, Joan O'Dwyer

Interior, showing stage of Wilde Playhouse from control booth.
Coffee bar is up front by window on Congress St., Tucson, AZ

Set for Harold Pinter's "The Birthday Party", directed by Hal Melfi, Lost River Theatre Conpany, Tucson.
Set was constructed in front of stage at Arizona Theater Company's Cabaret Theater
Joel (as Petey) is pictured with Barbara Saris (as Meg)
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tw/06-17-99/review3.htm

Preliminary approval drawings for set pieces, Martin McDonagh's "The Pillowman"
directed by Eugenia Woods, at the Historic "Y", Tucson AZ
Produced by Alex Samaniego. Set design, construction off site, Joel Charles

Volume 1: Sets and set pieces

I was lucky enough to be asked and tasked to build, or design and build pieces of, or full sets for several companies.

I also worked for a time with another dinner theater/coffee house (Wilde Playhouse) in Tucson as production manager, stage manager. I have enjoyed all of my associations with theater over the fourteen year span I was fortunate enough to be able to work as a set designer, carpenter, stage manager and actor, but sets were always my favorite.

ABOVE:
Top: final set plot for "Dinner With Friends" including all 6 set changes
-------------------
Bottom: Set for David Auburn's "Fifth Planet", Beowulf Alley
(designed, built, Joel Charles, William Galbreath, scenic painting, construction partner)

Set elevation by William Galbreath from original plot design
 for "Three Guys in Drag Selling Their Stuff,"
Beowulf Alley Theatre Company (designed, built, Joel Charles,
William Galbreath, scenic painting, construction partner)

Preliminary set plot with sight lines from audience, "Fifth Planet"

Platform working plot by Joel Charles
for David Auburn's "Proof",
at Beowulf Alley Theatre
set designed by Sheldon Metz

Preceding three photos: set design/build by Joel Charles,
scenic painting by William Galbreath, for
 Frederick Knott 's "Wait until Dark", directed by
David Sewell at Beowulf Alley Theatre

"apple boxes" redesigned made from 1/2" birch plywood
for "Stones in His Pockets" from this photo obtained on line.

Set elevation for Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia",
directed by David Sewell at Beowulf Alley Theatre
Original Set design by Joel Charles, builders Joel Charles
and Scenic design painter Bill Galbreath

Set plot with audience sight lines, "Arcadia"

Full set view, "Arcadia", Directed at Beowulf Alley Theatre by David Sewell

Bar extension "ell" elevation, showing refrigerator placement,
 Beowulf Alley Theatre lobby, Tucson, AZ

"blueprint", bar extension "ell", Beowulf Alley lobby.

Final set plot, Donald Margulies "Dinner With Friends",
directed by Susan Arnold at Beowulf Alley Theatre.
Set design/build by Joel Charles,
scenic painting and design by William Galbreath
(see link Review of "Dinner with Friends" by James Reel

Rotating stage right wall, "Dinner With Freids"

Set elevation, "Dinner With Freinds"

Elevation, Marie Jones "Stones in His Pockets,
Directed by Susan Arnold at Beowulf Alley Theatre.
Set design by Joel Charles, Construction by Joel Charles and
William Galbreath, scenic painter

Set & riser plot for Gavin Kayner's "Noche de los Muertos",
directed by Sheldon Metz at Beowulf Alley Theatre,
Set design/build, Joel Charles, scenic design, painting and
co-builder William Galbreath

"Stones in His Pocket" elevation, with light grid,
showing final cyc positions.

Set plot, "Three Guys in Drag Selling Their Stuff"
Directed by Cynthia Jeffries at Beowulf Alley Theatre, Tucson, AZ
Original set design Joel Charles, rendering and Elevation
and scenic painting by William Galbreath

Original set plot by Joel Charles for "Wait Until Dark"
at Beowulf Alley Theatre, Tucson, AZ

Original set plot by Joel Charles for "Stones in His Pockets",
modified for larger center stage passage, with sight lines for
back stage wall scenic backdrop cyc.

Bar scene, "Noche de los Muertos"

Bar scene & Priest's bedroom, "Noche de los Muertos"

Priest's Office (behind bar scene, SL)

Platform risers being placed, "Noche ..."

First dining room/bedroom scene, "Dinner With Friends"

Scene change, "Dinner With Friends"

Second bedroom/cottage kitchen scene, "Dinner With Friends"
notice rotated wall stage right.

Full shot of kitchen, stage right

Lobby bar, Beowulf Alley lobby, Tucson, AZ
Constructed of remnants from previous Beowulf sets.

rough elevation in color for "Crossing Elliott"
(playwright  Michelle Sciarrone)
set design by Joel Charles,
based on sketches by James Bergseid 

scenic backdrop composite photo, basis of original painting
by William Galbreath, scenic artist, "Stones in His Pockets"

Original set design by Joel Charles for Eduardo DeFilippo's "Saturday, Sunday, Monday"
directed by Joel Charles. Scenic design painting and set piece stove by William Galbreath.
Center wall swung left and right for kitchen or dining room side exposure.

Elevation for California production of "Proof"  dr awn by
Shelddon Metz, director. It was used for working set plot
and a redrawn elevation fitted to Beowulf Alley stage

Original mock up elevation for "Arcadia" at Beowulf Alley Theatre

a

Wire frame elevation for "Dinner With Friends" for Beowulf Alley stage

Set plot, Joel Charles, for Michelle Sciarrone's "Crossing Elliott",
adapted design from sketches by James Bergseid

Beowulf Alley audience sight lines elevation by Joel Charles
 for "Proof" production on Beowulf Alley stage

Rolling ladder/work platform design, Joel Charles. proposed for Beowulf, never built