The Sound of Music Set Design
At its core The Sound of Music is about the metamorphosis of a disconnected family into a harmonious unit. In my set design I integrated the conceptual ideas of transformation and family with the visual motifs of mountains and archways. This manifested into a set of seven triangular arches, which collectively are evocative of a mountain range. Just as there are seven Von Trapp children of varying heights there are seven arches of varying heights. The arches are reconfigured to form each location, so in any one scene as well as across all scenes there is a visual representation of family. The set becomes a tangible parallel to the narrative as the pieces transform so the Von Trapps may transcend.
The Four States of Each Arch
Each of the seven arches can be transformed into the following four forms. It is the various combinations of these forms that make up each set.
The Nonnberg Abbey
The Abbey invokes a strong sense of order and structure through the symmetrical alignment of the arches and an austere tone. The stained-glass window features an Edelweiss flower, which is symbol of the Von Trapp's Austrian patriotism.
The Von Trapp Villa
The villa also elicits a strong sense of order and structure but with an ostentatious flare as the arches pop up in a militaristic manner since it is the home of a strict and aristocratic naval captain.
The Concert Hall
A spotlight shines on the marble Edelweiss medallion center stage as the Captain sings the Edelweiss song.
During the song So Long Farewell each child exits through their own curtain, so the audience makes the connection that each arch is paired with each child.
Nonnberg Abbey Garden
The Abbey garden glows red in anticipation of the Nazis arrival. The family hides from the Nazis behind the stage left stairs shrouded in shadows.
Final Scene
For the first time the arches are aligned as one unified family of shapes like nesting dolls.
Throughout the musical the arches stand as immutable monoliths, but as Mother Abbess sings “climb every mountain” the Von Trapps slide the railing aside revealing a pathway of stairs straight up the peaks of the arches.
Both the Von Trapp family and the family of arches become an indivisible collective and it is through the marriage of the former’s fortitude with the latter’s infrastructure that guides the Von Trapps to freedom.
White Paper Model 1/4" : 1'
Drafting for The Concert Hall Set
Process
