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