The Stage as a Character: A Conversation Richard Heffner
Richard Heffner discusses his early experiences in theater and his transition from being in a band to becoming a set designer. He talks about his journey from West Virginia, his work in Charleston's theater community, his experiences with Footlight Players, and his contributions to PURE Theatre. Heffner emphasizes the importance of the set as a character itself in a play, rather than just a backdrop, illustrating this with discussions concerning recent productions like 'Compulsion'. He also briefly touches on his background in playing music and how it, in a vicarious way, relates to his current work.
Photograph - David Mandel Photography - from The PURE production of Lloyd Suh's THE CHINESE LADY
Music From Artlist
ORKAS - You Know What You Want
Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon
00:06 Introduction
00:06 The Role of Set Design in Theater
00:30 Richard Heffner: The Man Behind the Scenes
01:33 Journey into Theater: From Band to Stage
03:26 The Charleston Music Scene in the 80s
06:00 Transition from Music to Graphic Design
07:05 Entering the World of Theater Set Design
08:41 First Experiences as a Theater Designer
08:49 The Evolution of Charleston's Footlight Theater
10:07 The Art and Challenges of Theater Design
18:44 The Impact of English Literature on Design Approach
20:09 The Making of 'Compulsion': A Case Study
27:21 Looking Forward: Anticipating the Next Theater Season
28:07 Conclusion: The Intersection of Music and Theater
RICHARD HEFFNER