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Bringing summer to the stage: Sankofa and set design in Mamma Mia!
Charles Murdock Lucas, Scenic Designer for Mamma Mia!, gives an insider look into designing a unique version of Mamma Mia! for the Village Theatre stage.
What should audiences keep an eye out for when they see Mamma Mia!?
“Audiences should watch for how a collection of relatively simple set pieces are used to create many different locations within the world of the play.”
How is the theme of “Sankofa” represented visually in the set?
“In addition to the Sankofa bird symbols that are carefully included in the spaces that belong to Donna, the sweeping shape of the set itself represents a journey forward while looking back to go forward.”
What is Sankofa? Learn more
Can you describe the process of combining a disco theme with the 1990s Greek Islands setting?
“Traveling to other places is one of the ways that humans grow and develop. Music is also a kind of travel, an internal journey that takes you outside of yourself and connects you with other people. The combination of ABBA’s music with this story create a rare alchemical reaction that on paper, shouldn’t work at all, but in practice, this show delivers happiness to audiences again and again.”
What has your experience been like designing with the Village Theatre team?
“I have been touched and impressed by the way that Faith and the whole Village Theatre team worked to create an inclusive sense of community and artistic generosity on the production.”
What has been the most rewarding part of designing for Mamma Mia!?
“For me, this show represents an exuberant and joyful return to in-person performance design – an adrenaline shot of pure joy delivered to the community.”
CHARLES MURDOCK LUCAS is a Scenic and Projection Designer based in San Diego, CA. His designs include: Sofia National Opera and Ballet (Bulgaria), Daejeon Arts Center (Korea), The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and Skylight Music Theatre. He is the Head of Scene Design and Projection Design at SDSU. Work exhibited: 2019, 2011 Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space. He is also the Program Director for Opera Hack sponsored by San Diego Opera and OPERA AMERICA. Murdock is a member of USA Local 829.
