Ruoxi recently completed a Bachelor of Design at the University of Melbourne.
In 'The Tempest', the theme of perseverance is central to the character of Prospero, the exiled Duke who has survived and endured in isolation on the island.
My stage design for "The Tempest" encapsulates an alluring world of broken grandeur. It combines the decaying Elizabethan-era buildings with elements from both Renaissance and Gothic architecture, creating a setting that mirrors the fractured state of Prospero's world.
The play offers the opportunity to make a profound impact with the design by juxtaposing the crumbling, looming ruins with the dreamy, fantastical presence of marine essences. The design takes a supportive role by enhancing the narrative, reflecting Prospero's once-lost, now-magical realm, and the internal and external struggles of the characters.
My proposed design employs brutality to depict the harshness of exile and perseverance to signify Prospero's resilience. The ruins are evocative of the past, while the fantasy elements evoke the dreamy, magical aspects of the play, ultimately creating a visually captivating and emotionally resonant stage.