ANDREW F. GRIFFIN | LIGHTING DESIGN

Lighting Design

Othello

Folger Theatre

Director: Robert Richmond

to Dec. 4, 2011

“Designed by Tony Cisek, center stage is initially covered with gossamer curtains, hung at ceiling height, initially serving to veil a sexy bedroom pantomime. The curtains disappear to provide room for the initial Venetian setting where Othello receives his latest battle orders and where various courtiers intrigue against

him. But then, in a startling transformation, the curtains are unfurled on the horizontal and brilliantly illuminated in martial reds and oranges to become a gigantic Middle-Eastern battle tent with the backstage area transformed into a more intimate boudoir-style setting.

William Ivey Long’s lavish costumes and Andrew Griffin’s imaginative lighting designs add to the illusion. And Anthony Cochrane’s music...helps fill out the bill... At climactic moments, even the center aisle is transformed into a battleground, considerably enlarging the scope of the production. This isn’t the usual self-conscious breaking down of the “fourth wall.” Rather, it’s a successful attempt to maximize the theatrical space and involve the audience in the action.”

Terry Ponick - DC Theatre Scene

“The scene changes in the first act alone, as the action moves from bedroom to legislature to shipboard to Cyprus, are worth a Helen Hayes nomination or three.”

TREY GRAHM - WASHINGTON CITY PAPER

“Othello at Folger Theatre is a visually stunning piece of theater. Reset during the Crusades in exotic Cyprus, the production places emphasis on the religious elements of the text to great effect. It is rare to find a production where the sets, costumes, and lighting elements come together to so perfectly support and enhance the rest of

the show. The ever-changing set (by Tony Cisek) uses deceptively simple elements to become the grand halls, intimate rooms, exotic meeting places, and tempest tossed sailing vessels that the play requires, and the beautiful lighting by Andrew F. Griffin masters both the simplistic (such as the perfect transition from dark night to bright dawn) to the incredibly complex (complete with moody colors and abstract patterns). Director Robert Richmond uses the set and the unique stage set up at the Folger to great effect- actors move in an out of alcoves and balconies and through the center aisle of the audience. Iago’s ( Ian Merrill Peakes) moments alone with the audience are especially well staged and enhance an already spectacular performance.”

JESSICA PEARSON - MD THEATRE GUIDE

“Andrew Griffin’s gorgeous lights bolster the effects of place and mood, and Matthew Nielson’s sound design subtly follows the ever-spiraling steps to destruction.”

Maggie Lawrence - Star Exponent

Lighting SUPERVISOR

Speak no More - The Silent Shakespeare Festival

Synetic Theater

to Dec. 23, 2011 @ Crystal City Theater