Creative Direction

Emily was blessed to collaborate with the director and cast as the sole designer for the production. The most notable of her contributions was the creation of the Santa Muerte character, inspired by Mexican religious folklore. This character served as a supernatural force that followed the characters in the play not unlike a guardian angel. The incorporation of Santa Muerte added depth to the story and helped visualize the exploration of themes such as life and death, as well as the blending of cultures within the town and its people.

In terms of photography, Emily focused on capturing the idea of a veil separating life and death, which was depicted in the publicity campaign for the production. Her goal was to create visuals that showcased the ethereal and mysterious nature of the play. The use of the veil symbolized the liminal space between the afterlife and the town, which the characters could not break through - until it was their time.

Emily's set dressing and scenic elements were also instrumental in incorporating multiple religions and customs into the story. Emily designed a large Mexican "ofrenda" or offering to the dead which dressed a grand piano that sat center stage. This not only added cultural authenticity to the production but also emphasized the diversity and spirituality within the story. By incorporating elements from different religious and cultural traditions, Emily created a visually rich and immersive experience for the audience which portrayed the complexities of this cultural intersection, and created a dynamic and thought-provoking canvas for the actors to play.