When You Trap a Tiger

Jaycees Studio Theatre at Stages Theater Company

with Theater Mu

Scenic Designer

2025

Photos by: Yunzhu (Jessica) Chen

Production Team

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR STC - Sandy Boren-Barrett
INTERIM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR THEATER MU - Katie Bradley
DIRECTOR - Emma Y. Lai
PUPPET DESIGNER - Marc Berg
COMPOSER / SOUND DESIGNER - Rachel Brees
SET DESIGNER - Yunzhu (Jessica) Chen
PROPS DESIGNER - Calvin Friedman
COSTUME & MAKE-UP DESIGNER - Samantha Fromm Haddow
LIGHTING DESIGNER - Grant E. Merges
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR - Jim Hibbeler
SOUND TECHNICIAN - Gretchen Katt
WARDROBE SUPERVISOR - Christa Ludwig
PRODUCTION MANAGER - Melanie Salmon-Peterson
STAGE MANAGER/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - Janae Lorick
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER - Hailey Ballard
SOUND BOARD OPERATOR - David Gamache
LIGHT BOARD OPERATORS - Jonah Anderson & Bonnie Ray
SCENIC ARTIST - Cinde Ashley, Yvonne Ring, Eme Stenbeck
MASTER ELECTRICIAN - Lucas Martin
ELECTRICIANS - Samantha Brown, Michael Remucal, Justin Sharbono
VOLUNTEERS - Jeff Aune, Jenny Brown, Scott Brown, Warren Glidden, Ron Kline, Donna Meyer, Mariann Wolf
BIPOC YOUTH MENTEE COSTUME DESIGN - Erykah Lee
KOREAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL CONSULTANT - Aerin Park

Photo by Amy Rondeau Photography

Initial Concept

The director and I instinctively envisioned the story being told on a thrust stage to create a more intimate connection between the performers and the audience. We decided to split the space between Halmoni’s house and a downstage playing area that accommodates the different scenes, such as the library and basement. The house, set as a background to every scene, gives a constant but quiet presence and influence on the rest of the story.

The idea behind the fragmented back wall came from how Lily and Halmoni remember the house: through memories that are scattered, layered, and not always clear. I wanted the house to feel vintage and lived-in, a space that holds stories in its worn surfaces and cozy clutter. It was important to me that the set felt warm and familiar, almost like stepping into a memory.

Dancheong 단청

The back wall design is inspired by traditional Korean Dancheong patterns — intricate, colorful motifs found in Korean architecture, meant to protect and honor the spaces they adorn. I wanted these patterns to represent the connection between past and present, much like Lily’s journey of discovering her Korean heritage and uncovering family stories.

The pastel colors and layered panels reflect how memories can feel fragmented and distant, yet still beautiful and meaningful. Just as the tiger bridges myth and reality, I wanted the Dancheong motifs to symbolize the unseen presence of history and tradition, watching over the characters like a protective spirit. They are also a quiet reminder of Halmoni’s stories and the magic that lingers throughout the show.