Behind the scenes takes center stage in this look at the work needed to make theatrical magic for the audience. Lawrence students and faculty spend hours tackling set building, prop creation, costume design, and rehearsal to create a theater production.
This collection of photos is a look at the making of Molière Inspired, a Winter Term production from Lawrence University’s Department of Theatre Arts in celebration of the French playwright’s 400th birthday. It includes three one-acts: one by Molière and two inspired by Molière.
The production also is a celebration of collaborations across academic departments, as well as collaborations between faculty and students.
Funded by a summer research grant, Lawrence junior Claire Chamberlin translated short plays under the supervision of Eilene Hoft-March, the Milwaukee-Downer College and College Endowment Association Professor of Liberal Studies and professor of French. They were then handed off to Kathy Privatt, the James G. and Ethel M. Barber Professor of Theatre and Drama and associate professor of theatre arts, who is directing the evening of Molière Inspired.
Molière Inspired will be performed by Lawrence theatre students in Cloak Theatre on Feb. 18 (8 p.m.) and Feb. 19 (3 and 8 p.m.). It’s open to all Lawrence students, faculty, and staff.
![Student wearing headphones and painter's coveralls paints details onto a doorframe while holding a small cup of paint.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/012522_BTS_45-2048x1365.jpg?itok=JsFLFuy0)
![Overhead view of the painter's elevation plans backstage](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/012522_BTS_42-2048x1366.jpg?itok=3defb_aS)
![A seated student draws on a large piece of paper with a pencil.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/012522_BTS_56-2048x1365.jpg?itok=LKuX4Ytj)
![Student wearing headphones adjusts the light board](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/021422_TechBTS_41-2048x1364.jpg?itok=JQ5WMKxs)
![Student holds both hands over chest while another student behind them throws ribbons at them.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/020122_BTS_230-2048x1529.jpg?itok=FDFQh3T3)
![Kathy Privatt seats in the audience behind a music stand gives notes.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/020122_BTS_38-2048x1356.jpg?itok=_z1D5l0O)
![Zhanna Weil, sophomore, works in the costume shop in preparation for Molière Inspired.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere3_202202.jpg?itok=dviStmBV)
![Notes for a costume that will be used for Molière Inspired are written on a label and attached to the costumes.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere4.jpg?itok=Fpv30pEz)
![Claire Chamberlin, a junior, sits for a portrait in the Cloak Theater surrounded by the completed set for Molière Inspired.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/MoliereChamberlin_202202.jpg?itok=Gje723jr)
![Frankie Sobel and Alec Welhouse, both juniors, rehearse on stage.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere5.jpg?itok=THR4EcFh)
![Maeve Shaffer, a junior, and Maeve Shampine, a sophomore, work on costumes for Molière Inspired.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere6.jpg?itok=Bfn0ntH8)
![Nihan Baysal and Jana Casey, both sophomores, look at notes during a rehearsal in the Cloak Theater.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere11_202202%20%281%29.jpg?itok=7vSlfm3B)
![Sophia Driessen, a senior, sits on the floor as she works on a corset in the costume shop.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere12%20%281%29.jpg?itok=saTpxNtF)
![Kathy Privatt watches from the front of the stage as Alec Welhouse, a junior, and Nina Broberg, a sophomore, read lines from a script in Cloak Theatre..](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere13%20%281%29.jpg?itok=dtpF_G0a)
![Jon Winkler, a sophomore, is fitted with a hair net as part of hair and makeup before rehearsal.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere14%20%281%29.jpg?itok=wsbsl2K7)
![Nihan Baysal, a sophomore, wears a headset as she watches rehearsal from the control booth.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere15%20%281%29.jpg?itok=NJsJwWPs)
![Lexi Praxl, a senior, sits in the costume shop as a wig is adjusted before rehearsal.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere16%20%281%29.jpg?itok=56-3_BiG)
![A cast member in costume is silhouetted from behind against the stage while watching rehearsal.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere17%20%281%29.jpg?itok=QsBnKLL3)
![Lulu Wang, a junior, carries a chair as she gets the stage ready for a scene change during rehearsal in the Cloak Theater.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere18_202202%20%281%29.jpg?itok=siHWMde_)
![Frankie Sobel, a junior, puts on eye makeup while looking into a mirror before rehearsal.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere19_202202%20%281%29.jpg?itok=Hm_H0Syv)
![Nina Broberg, a sophomore, checks props before rehearsal backstage in the Cloak Theater.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere20_202202%20%281%29.jpg?itok=2TF4bek7)
![Karin Simonson Kopischke, instructor of Theatre Arts and costume shop supervisor, talks with Anna Dlugi, a first-year, in preparation for hair and makeup before rehearsal.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere21_202202%20%281%29.jpg?itok=grD4-YPC)
![Students Maeve Shaffer, Frankie Sobel, Lexi Praxl, Alec Welhouse, Maddie Guest, Ella Rose Schaefer, and Nina Broberg sit at a table as they read a scene for Molière Inspired in the Cloak Theater.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere22_202202%20%281%29.jpg?itok=JbhTOwfo)
![Alec Welhouse, a junior, and Jon Winkler, a sophomore, rehearse in full costume.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-02/Moliere23_202202%20%281%29.jpg?itok=nCtU-48E)