Arts Professor Designs Set for Play Reviewed by “The New York Times”

During the summer months, Department of Theatre professors at the College of Charleston bring new meaning to Shakespeare’s famous words “all the world’s a stage.” They spread across the United States, assuming different roles in dozens of productions and sometimes bringing students with them.

Scenic design professor Charlie Calvert designed the set for “The Comedy of Errors” performed by the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey. A New York Times review says, “This production of “The Comedy of Errors,” inventively directed by Jason King Jones, is a stylish, beautifully acted show that treats Shakespeare’s comedy as true farce.” Read another review of the production.

Calvert tries to design at least one production every summer and has been working with the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey for the past five years.

“I think it is so important for students to learn from working professionals,” Calvert says. “Scene design is just like fashion. It has a current style and that style is always changing. Having mentors who are working outside of the classroom is a great way for students to keep up with the fashion of design. Also, it creates opportunities for the students. They can serve as assistant designers, gaining professional theater credits – but also they can use my contacts as a springboard for internships or full employment at these regional theaters.”

As set designer, Calvert creates a world where the play can take place, all in collaboration with the director. He says he learns something new on every set he designs.

“On this production, I discovered something about creating pieces of scenery that force the performers to move in a particular way.  It is commonly known that the scene design connects the actor (in addition to the audience) to a certain place or theme. The actors in this play were exploring the image of water that the director gave them. The pier-like setting helped locate us in a city that was near water, but it was the high arched bridges that actually forced the actors to become waves as they raced across the stage, thereby connecting them to our world in a very physical way.”

For more information, contact Charlie Calvert at calvertcc@cofc.edu.