top of page
LEGALLY BLONDE
DIRECTION Scott Faris
SCENIC Kiera Reinhard
LIGHTING Mia Gomez
PROJECTIONS Jackson Doran
COSTUMES Ellie Hermann
SOUND Zoelle Pierce
PHOTOS Craig Schwartz
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
BING THEATRE
April 2026
CONCEPT
The University of Southern California’s production of "Legally Blonde" embraces the show’s original energy but rather this time Elle graduated from USC. The set is built around a strong architectural frame and a series of large, mobile scenic elements that allow for fluid transitions. A false proscenium made up of classical columns and a pediment defines the stage picture while four oversized leather-bound books rolled on and offstage. Upstage, an elevated platform anchors the design and opens to reveal the hair salon hidden within.
The production moved from final scenic drafting to the first day of tech in just four weeks, requiring a highly coordinated build schedule. The false proscenium presented a unique challenge, as it was a design approach the program had not executed before. It required the installation of new rigging points through the theatre ceiling to safely support its weight and scale. Upstage, the platform was engineered to span two 9-foot openings while also being capable of supporting up to nine actors dancing simultaneously on top.
REHEARSAL TAPE OUT GROUND PLAN
-GP%20(tapeout).jpg)
WORKING DRAWINGS: 3D AUTOCAD
FALSE PROSCENIUM
This false proscenium, composed of two columns and a pediment, was built to fit exactly within the existing proscenium opening with no tolerance for light leakage. Three new rigging points were created by drilling through the catwalks and ceiling above. The 14'-6" columns were framed with plywood semicircle toggles and 1x3 supports, then skinned in luan—though wiggle wood would have better handled the tight radius. The bases are 1x3 and luan shells, with 1/2" plywood caps to transfer load from the header, and the columns are stabilized with pipes and cheeseboroughs tied into offstage torms over the orchestra pit. The 20'-10" wide header was built in two pieces and installed by raising three lifts simultaneously, sliding it into place past the proscenium lights with zero clearance, then securing it to the new rigging points with aircraft cable and shackles.
HARD LEG BOOKS
These giant books were 10' wide by 14' tall, sitting on rolling platforms with straight casters. Each book features detailed molding to represent shifting locations, from dorm rooms to courtrooms, They also serves as a primary projection surface and the curved spines conceal lighting booms. The spines are detailed with half-round foam with cutouts backed by fiberglass window screen to mask the fixtures while allowing light to pass through. Maintaining position of the units was a challenge as the units tended to drift downstage due to uneven floor conditions. Because guide tracks could not be added, consistent movement relied on refining ways to push the books to keep them on spike, which was critical given the integrated side lighting and projection alignment.
UPSTAGE PLATFORM
The upstage platform, while visually simple, was the most complex design challenge. Measuring 22'-6" wide by 7'-6" tall, it is built from stock platforms with 2x6 members spanning the 8' upstage–downstage depth, and a continuous 2x8 along the front to address shear and deflection. The structure is supported by flats along the upstage wall with compression legs behind, supplemented by additional compression legs at the downstage corners and next to the central double doors. The platform incorporates two 9' open spans, allowing curved “Hair Affair” salon units to track in beneath and open into view. The double doors were modified from stock units with added detailing, while the railing is constructed from 1/2" plywood cutouts sandwiched between 1x3s, with 1x2 box steel uprights anchored into the platform for stability.
bottom of page