The Fantasticks
Scenic Designer and Construction Lead
Ice House Theater - Visalia, CA
Director: Antony Lotenero
The Fantasticks was approached as a “show in a box” with a self-referential twist. The production embraced a rustic, homegrown aesthetic where the theater itself became part of the story. The box, filled with props and costumes, breaks in the first moments of the show, spilling its contents. The cast creatively repurposes these elements to build each scene, allowing the audience to experience the magic of improvisation and theatrical invention.
The production had a total scenic budget of $1,200, featured a cast of eight and was mounted in the 125-seat Visalia Ice House Theater. All scenic elements were designed to work within the intimate space while still creating a sense of wonder and movement.
Central to the design was a found-object style aesthetic. I built a practical steamer trunk that could break and be reset each performance.
Props and elements from the trunk were transformed into set pieces, most notably El Gallo’s tree, which was constructed entirely from found objects, real bark, and leaves.
The tree was designed to support an actor on stage in motion, built on a folding scaffolding base for stability and mobility. Lighting and props supported the concept, highlighting each improvised creation and reinforcing the show’s playful, meta-theatrical tone.
The biggest creative challenge was designing the tree to be both believable and functional, while the biggest logistical challenge was coordinating the trunk’s repeated breaking and reset. Once the cast understood the mechanics, these transitions ran smoothly, integrating seamlessly into the performance.
