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Set Design

"House of Desires" (1683)  by  Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

Directed by Nicole Limon

Designer - D. A-R. Forbes-Erickson

April 8-19, 2020

Playwright's Theatre, Department of Theatre and Dance, California State University, Sacramento

Design Statement:

I am deeply inspired by the life and work of proto feminist and Mexican nun, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651-1695) in her masterpiece, House of Desires (1683). Born in San Miguel Nepantla, Tepetlixpa, Mexico in 1651, Sor Juana was the first woman to write a feminist manifesto defending women’s rights in the New World. The design concept is centered on the play’s satirical feminist thought about women’s limited agency being forced into marriages, and entrapped by patriarchal honor and respectability. The contemporary space with bold color and patterns of Spanish colonial tiles reflect the playfulness and wit in transvestism, shadow play, and moving set pieces just like the twists and turns in the play.

Due to COVID-19, "House of Desires"  was postponed,and summarily canceled. 

With love, gratitude, and respect for all in the production team, cast members and everyone involved, this page is dedicated to the set design process to execution weeks before stay-at-home order in March 2020.

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