Where Words Once Were

Hickory Ridge High School

Director: Avri Gozy

Stage Manager: Lily Chapman

Scenic Designer: Lily Chapman

Lighting Design: May Souffrant

Costume Design: Evelyn Lenguero

Sep 2025 - Nov 2025

Projects

THE TOWN

I based the design in a dystopian world where language is controlled, drawing from raw textures like stone, metal, and wood to reflect the restriction and overall rot of society.

An autumnal palette of reds and oranges introduced warmth while symbolizing decay and societal tension. The palette of reds and oranges is a mixture of reds and oranges.

SHADOW PUPPETS

Incorporate its shadow puppetry to represent those silenced by the government and overlooked by society.

These moments reveal private human experiences and reinforce those without voices who are still fully present.

ALLIS BAKERY

I designed the bakery as a dual-sided unit that shifts between exterior and interior to support smooth transitions

. The interior is densely filled with bread tools and an extra cooking cart that has interaction and special effects like flour dusting and storytelling throughout props as they recall the past of the town.

MAGNETIC WORDS

I integrated magnetic words throughout the set to reflect themes of language control and secrecy.

The actors rearranged these elements to form hidden messages, visually reinforcing the rebellion against censorship.

COLOR CHOICES

Very important in the storytelling, I used red to define the government authority, creating a stark contrast against the muted tones of the silenced population.

Blue accents identify neutral characters, helping clarify alignment and hierarchy within the world.

PROJECTIONS

Use projections to internalize unspo

ken thoughts, revealing what the characters are unable to say aloud. This layer restores language visually, emphasizing the emotional impact of this suppressed expression.