ABSTRACT

Title of Document: Hotel Cassiopeia

Daniel da Cruz Pinha, Master of Fine Arts, 2010

Directed By: Associate Professor, Daniel Conway, Department of Theatre

The purpose of this thesis is to provide a record of the scenic design process for Hotel Cassiopeia by Charles Mee, produced by the University of Maryland Department of Theatre and performed in the Kogod Theatre at University at Maryland and at the Roundhouse Theatre in Silver Spring, M.D.

The attached package contains all the elements that were used during the development process and ideas of the scenic design for the play. It includes the visual aspects such as research images, renderings, pictures of the model, technical drafting, and photographs of the performance. The material was used to create a communication among the set designer, Daniel Pinha, director, designers and the shops.

Hotel Cassiopeia is a play by Charles Mee based on the American artist Joseph Cornell. The abstract set evokes his work environment, the basement, where he stored and assembled the found objects collected for years. The set is comprised of a strong visual image to honor the main character of the play, the visual artist, Joseph Cornell