Below is my process for conceptualizing, directing, and producing The Eight Reindeer Monologues as part of Klein Forest High School’s 2019-2020 season. All photos and video clips used are from the rehearsal/build process.
This production was chosen to travel and be performed as a mainstage presentation at the annual Texas Thespian Festival. I felt confident in the power of this script to challenge our actors in many ways. The script is structured so that each scene is a monologue delivered by one of Santa’s reindeer, describing their experiences with Santa and his less-than-jolly behavior and working conditions.
My set design was simple yet effective: a Santa throne with a Christmas tree on a side table. On either side of the stage were two large boxes wrapped in white Christmas paper, stacked to create giant gift props. These gifts doubled as projection screens, where we displayed the name of each reindeer. Each actor was asked to choose a personal prop that symbolized their character or their interaction with Santa. During their monologues, the reindeer decorated the tree with their props. By the end of the production, only a single light illuminated the empty throne and a Christmas tree adorned with items that clashed with the holiday spirit. This absurd twist on what is traditionally a happy holiday mirrored the dark humor and biting truth of the script.
This video is a submission video for Texas Thespian Festival 2018 *This is not the production*