Notes from set designer Ana Ines Jabares-Pita
Just one week left for the first preview! I can’t believe the time has gone by so fast. This project has been in my mind for 5 months and now it is becoming real.
It is true that each project is completely different from each other, but this one is especially different. The devising process of Company of Wolves is very interesting and very intense. For the actors, it takes a lot of physical preparation and being immersed in the same world. For the designer, you really need to let yourself go and not think about time constraints, or aim for a final design too early in the process. It is more about playing, experimenting, trying things, and failing. Although actually failing, it is not such a thing. I do not think the concept of failure as a negative thing exists in Company of Wolves’ vocabulary. Actually it is more about being brave enough to try things, sometimes even not being too sure what the outcome is going to be.
Designing for this company is a constant learning experience. You need to be open-minded, willing to learn, to morph and be able to develop ideas fast, and be quick at problem-solving as the needs of the performance develop. You have to be even willing to warm-up with them!!! (This is not actually true.) What is true is that I was so curious about the process that one day I was invited to join the warm-up session and I accepted. I am not an especially sporty person, but I have to say that I really enjoyed being a part of the company and having a chance to experience what the performers have to go through. It is really interesting to ‘feel’ like they do. This warm-up also helped me to better understand the world we were talking about for the last 3 months. I think it is really important that, once in a while, the designers stop being behind their desks/model boxes and computers and become part of the actual thing. Just for a few hours, it will be worth it.
Regarding the design itself, there is not a lot to say….
but there is a lot to see!
So, come and join us at the CCA!
The End of Things will be performed at the CCA on 15-17 and 20-21 July, 7:30pm. For more information and tickets please visit CCA’s website