The Mousetrap
Directed by Jeffrey LaRocque
Scenic Design by Zoe Speer
Costume & Lighting Design by Julie Giampaolo
Photographed by Hank Brockett
April 2026
Conceptual Discussions:
The director wanted a historically accurate, realistic Monkswell Manor that accommodated the script's many entrances and exits within the constraints of a black box theater.
Design Goals:
I aimed to immerse the audience in the manor, using the intimacy of the black box to make them feel like participants in the story rather than observers.
Logistics:
Audience members entered through a stained-glass doorway modeled after the manor's entrance, immediately establishing the environment. Detailed set dressing and four functional doorways—including a compact staircase—created a believable, lived-in space while meeting the script's logistical demands.
Outcome:
The immersive environment helped audiences feel inside both the manor and the mystery, while the multiple entrances and exits gave the director the flexibility needed to stage the action naturally.
