This theoretical design of William Shakespeare’s, The Tempest, is set in the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts. This design considers CDC COVID-19 guidelines—exploring how auditorium spacing could pose new opportunities for designers.

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In this design, there are two types of magic that create our world. The first magic, Prospero’s magic, is powerful, rough, and tangible. Using text, Prospero creates the island on which The Tempest takes place. This design is rooted in the physical paper. Whenever Prospero has a hand in the magic, the space comes to life—papers rustle in the breeze, book puppets emerge from a trap as Prospero illustrates their exile, and paper performers come to life to perform a play in honor of Ferdinand and Miranda’s marriage. When Prospero abandons their magic, the parchment island “dissolves” allowing an ocean blue to emanate from the beneath stage deck. 

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The second magic of The Tempest belongs to the spirit, Ariel. Ariel continuously imbues the story with imagery. Ariel illustrates the environment by calling forward curling clouds, menacing storms, and sweet blossoms. While Ariel’s magic is powerful, it is bound to Prospero’s world and will. In this production, Ariel’s magic exists in shadowy silhouettes. The tempest is created from shadows of rain and waves to the audience. What is a, “thousand twangling instruments” humming in the ears of Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano is visually manifested by an organic pathway. The audience sees shadows of what Ariel uses to drive characters across the island