SHANE HENNESSY
LIGHTING DESIGNER

SMUTA IS A NEW PLAY BY JACOB WASSON THAT CHRONICLES THE EXPERIENCE OF TWO GAY MEN WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN A "POP-UP TORTURE CHAMBER" TOGETHER IN MOSCOW. IT EXPLORES THEMES OF SAFETY, FRIENDSHIP, AND WHAT IT MEANS TO LOVE AND BE LOVED IN A WORLD THAT DOESN'T WANT YOU TO EXIST.

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE DESIGN FOR THIS PIECE WAS TO CREATE A FLUID, DREAMLIKE WORLD WHERE THE CHARACTERS COULD FLOAT FROM LOCATION TO LOCATION UNTIL THE FANTASY CRUMBLES AND WE RETURN TO THE BLEAK REALITY OF THEIR SITUATION.