Upper School, Fall 2019
Oscar Wilde’s most enduringly popular play is a hilarious comedy set in late Victorian London. The play’s major theme is the absurdity of conventional contemporary life and culture. Come laugh with us as we poke fun at the privileged, wealthy and clever characters of Wilde’s imagination.

Cast

John Worthing, J.P. Joz Butler
Algernon Moncrieff Elijah Busch
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D. Jackson Rivas
Merriman, Butler Jacob Boyar
Lane, Manservant Jake Murphy
Lady Bracknell Lucrezia Zichichi
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax Olivia McGrath
Cecily Cardew Nicole Roer
Miss Prism, Governess Hannah Carter

Production Team

Director Mark Silence
Scenic Design Mark Silence
Costume Design Katherine Touart
Lighting Design Margo Caddell
Sound Engineer Tim Folster
Assistant to the Director Hayden Laramie
Production Art Joz Butler
Production Manager Margo Caddell
Stage Crew Peri FergusonNicolas CamachoLucas CepedaSarah Kadlick
Headshot Photographer Brady Shoemaker

cast

John Worthing, J.P.

John Worthing, J.P.

Algernon Moncrieff

Algernon Moncrieff

Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.

Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.

Merriman, <i>Butler</i>

Merriman, Butler

Lane, <i>Manservant</i>

Lane, Manservant

Lady Bracknell

Lady Bracknell

Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax

Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax

Cecily Cardew

Cecily Cardew

Miss Prism, <i>Governess</i>

Miss Prism, Governess

art design

artist statement, Joz Butler

While this piece started as just a poster for the show, it ended up becoming so much more. One of the main themes in this work is communication. It's both the duality of Earnest communicating with himself and the struggle he faces with the truth and the long back and forth between the artist and the director. As seen in the final piece, both parties, the mask, and Earnest himself, are smiling, as they are content with the job that they have done.

The colors present in this piece were deliberate and the palette was constructed for accessibility to the final painting. Jack is represented with reds and the mask, which is a nod to Algernon, draws from purples. The palette was mainly based on one of the more iconic color sets from the show, in Algernon’s house, with the symphony of golds, reds, and purples that are present there (Thanks for making such a great set, Mr. Silence! It helped a lot with the inspiration for this one). At a point in the process there was discussion about using desaturated colors for a more old-timey feel, but this interpretation of the piece is more modern in technique, and it gives a nice little nod to the work that all the actors have done to make the show their own, while still working with old materials.

Another theme present in the deeper meaning of this painting is the balance between complex imagery and simple presentation. The mask went through a lot of iterations and it finally landed on the mirror image of Jack’s face pretty close to the end of the process. It sums up the rift within Jack’s character in a succinct little package, and the small differences between the real face and the mask tell an entrancing story. The mask also points quite nicely to all of the contradictions within Jack, like with his Christian name and his real identity. The last real impactful meaning with the mask is that it is semi-representative of Algernon as well. His struggles align closely with Jack’s underneath all his witty banter and flashiness, and this piece brings both of them together. While Jack isn’t so much trying to hide, he is cognizant of the fact that he performs for people, just like the actors in this play.

The last little thing that I’d like to mention is that this was a really fun process. I personally am incredibly glad that the final result turned out so well and that both Mr. Silence and I enjoy the outcome. It was a long journey to now but doing this at the same time as being in the production was wonderful and it provided insight on both my art and my acting! So thank you again, Mr. Silence, for giving me the opportunity to make something I really appreciate.

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costume design

Costumer designer statement

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Costume support statement

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Gallery

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