And OH! The Sets! The Costumes!
It is harder to collect the bios and pictures of the artists behind the scenes, creating the amazing and wondrous elements that transform the theatre box into a fairytale land. These creative humans rarely get the credit they deserve since they are always moving, whisking projects off home to finish, or working late into the night. Most of the work they do happens in the last couple of weeks before a show, and by then the program has long ago gone to the printers. For the Pier One Theatre production of Disney’s Beauty and the beast, the set shop has been a flurry of activity. We will attempt here to highlight the accomplishments of this incomparable team!
Bobby Copeland-McKinney and Michael McKinney
Bobby and Michael are the undisputed rulers of the set shop, they have either built, added the finishing touch to, or advised on just about every piece that has moved through the space. We rely on their artistry and expertise with hot glue, cardboard, paint, gadgets and gismos to create the look, feel, and flow of the show.
Platform construction: David Webster, Laura Norton, Sabine Simmons, Jennifer Norton, Roy Wilson, Gunnar Person, Lucas Thoning, Brightly Thoning Flowers: Judy Winn, Shirley Evans, Lynda Reed, Shirley Kosto, Celia Quinn Antlers: Jackson Pietsch, Hope Stearns, Shawntel Taylor Doors and Windows: Dustin Davis Set Installation: Laura Norton, Lincoln Norton, Regi Johanos, Michael McKinney, Tom Custer, Zachary Nelson, Jackson Pietsch, Cain Miller, Eric Simondsen, Bobby Copeland-McKinney, Cathy Stingley, Mary Simondsen, Finnegan Brewer, Wood Turner, and HHS Band and Choir Flatware: Jill Berryman, Jessica Golden, Hope Stearns, Kay Bartel, Thea Person, Cain Miller, Kurt Rowzee, Michael McKinney, Cathy Stingley, Bobby Copeland-McKinney Napkins and Mrs. Potts: Bonnie Boisvert Dishes: Cristen San Roman, Kay Bartel, Tom Custer, Thea Person, Bobby Copeland-McKinney, Carolyn Norton, Robin McAllistar, Ilsa Golden, Fiona Ahern Castle Staff: Jill Berryman, Charlotte Adamson, August Kilcher, Jessica Coke, Lukas Whited, Syd Paulino, Sarah L. Brewer, Maria Johanos Machine: Michael McKinney Gargoyle: Nakoa Cook Torches: Thea Person, Laura Norton Beast: Christine Kulcheski Magic Mirror: Kay Bartel, Michael McKinney The Library: Brad Hughes, Judy Winn, Bobby Copeland-McKinney, Jackson Pietsch The Trees: Judy Winn, Thea Person, Cristen San Roman, Bobby Copeland-McKinney, Sally Oberstein, Kay Bartel, Jackson Pietsch The Rose: Bobby Copeland McKinney, Syd Paulino, Dustin Davis Stone Walls: Bobby Copeland-McKinney, Judy Winn The Cottage: Bobby Copeland-McKinney, Michael McKinney, Laura Norton, Zachary Nelson Belle's Gowns: Wina Wade Belle's Village Dress & Wolves: Maria Johanos, Regi Johanos Costume Collection: Cara Long, Pepper Martushev, Sabine Simmons, Lynne Burt, Marie Walker, Jennifer Norton, Bonnie Boisvert, Jalee Martushev, and the cast!
The evolution of a set: A lovely old piece created by Brad Hughes is repurposed to become Belle’s library. First it is laid flat for painting, the design is blocked in, and then the set is painted adding dark colors first to block it out, and light colors at the end to make it pop! Painted by Bobby Copeland-McKinney, Judy Winn, and Jackson Pietsch.
