Lighting the world of SICKLE
Lighting designer Robert Perry seeks to enhance the juxtaposition of the destruction of war and the dawning of a new day of hope.
Above are inspirational images gathered by Sickle lighting designer, Robert Perry. Through contrast of sunlight and moonlight, Perry seeks to enhance the juxtaposition of the destruction of war and the dawning of a new day of hope.
On his design approach:
“Sickle is a story about women of war being forced to live in a dystopian-like village. Each character has their own story and my goal as a lighting designer is to bring those stories to life in a world that is not always kind.
My design approach is rooted in the history of the Holodomor. I hope to truthfully capture the pastoral apocalyptic environment by heightening the landscape that the play takes place in. Using the natural elements of sunlight and moonlight, I will underscore the passage of time and seize the mood of each scene.
Sunlight may appear to be hopeful, whilst the moonlight begins to venture into a dark time of unknown certainty of another day. Even in the midst of war and famine, there are moments of joy between the women as they act out each scene as if putting on individual skits. I've worked with Lisa and Vladimir before (Oldest Story in the World, M2) and am always deeply satisfied by the process and the product. I look forward to getting back to Minneapolis to light this important and powerful play.”
— Robert Perry, Sickle Lighting Designer
Historical Research
The Holodomor, also known as the Ukrainian Famine, is а genocide of the Ukrainian nation committed in 1932-1933. Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, wanted to rapidly transform the country into an industrialized, Russian-led, communist power. Part of the plan was to collectivize agriculture, meaning farmers had to surrender their crops to the state for redistribution. The plan led to widespread starvation - between 3 and 10 million Ukrainians died in this genocidal campaign. Nearly all photographs showing starvation during the Holodomor were taken secretly by foreigners and smuggled out of Ukraine.
Sickle takes place at the height of the Holodomor in Ukraine, 1933.
ROBERT PERRY (Lighting Designer)
Recent Off-Broadway: David Auburn’s Lost Lake (World Premiere); Regional: Gem of the Ocean (Goodman Theatre), Long Lost (World Premiere) and Queens For a Year (World Premiere, Hartford Stage), and other regional designs. NYC Awards: Drama Desk Nomination: The Water Engine (Atlantic Theater Company), Vivian Robinson AUDELCO Award for Excellence in Black Theatre: Crowns (Second Stage), Jeff Award nominations: Gem of the Ocean, Love’s Labor’s Lost. MFA Yale School of Drama, BFA North Carolina School of the Arts. Director of Design: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. More at www.robertperrydesign.com