How The Underpants got its Concept

Heidi Hoffer

Process 1: First, we addressed a fairly typical series of

questions designed to illustrate possible Maske households. We were initially thinking about a solid, realistic environment which would be very detailed. What does Theo Maske’s neighborhood look like? What does Theo Maske’s flat look like? What in the room belongs to Theo Maske? What in the room belongs to Louise Maske? What does the text indicate should be in the apartment?

The initial result was a museum-like collection of middle class furnishings in a basement apartment. I felt we were missing a through-line impetus.

Process 2: Second, after looking at the initial result, we identified how

the design could promote the issues in the play

Scenery that provides for all of a play’s action is not necessarily finished. Theo Maske’s apartment was missing the

environment that caught Louise unawares when her pants fell down during the King’s parade.

The Maske household needed to provide a backboard for Louise’s push away from bring a “little housewife”.

The environment needed to support the fact that Theo does not like being noticed.

Voyeurism The outside world watched as Louise’s

underpants fell down before the play began. Even the King noticed and desired to be near Louise and her underwear by renting a room in the Maske flat. This voyeuristic essence is what was needed.

Wilhelm Gause’s painting of the Vienna State Ball provided the correct period, ditsy female

and jockeying-for-position male environment.

Combining Gause’s painting with the realistic scenery which had specific items very detailed created the needed tension between the two worlds.

The next three slides show the transition from “plain” to “noticed”.

The Gause painting is at 75 percent.

The Gause painting is at 100 percent

The final design brought the outside nosey world into Theo’s life, and Louise’s pleasure. Add “Victoria's Secret” lighting moments at appropriate times, and we have a complete and satisfying theatre design.

Credits The Underpants Produced by Texas Tech

University Department of Theatre and Dance Directed by Jonathan Marks Scene Design by Heidi Hoffer Costume Design by Jeleesa Patton Lighting Design by Andrea Bilkey Technical Direction by Richard Hamilton Charge Artist - K. Vicki Ayers