Concept Statement

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In my concept for Measure for Measure, I aimed to capture the timeless and morally complex nature of the play by creating a set  inspired by the great architecture from the Romanesque and gothic era that still stand today.   Measure for Measure is known as one of Shakespeare's "problem plays" one of the reasons being that while structurally it falls into the comedy category, but the wedding at the end can be seen as nothing but a tragedy.  Symbolically, a large, interactive chessboard dominates the center stage, serving as a metaphor for the intricate power dynamics and manipulation that unfold within the narrative. As the characters navigate their moral dilemmas, the chessboard becomes a visual representation of the Duke's manipulation of the characters during the show.