Let’s Murder Marsha by Monk Ferris is about murder-mystery-obsessed, Marsha Gilmore, who overhears her loving husband, Tobias Gilmore, discussing a birthday surprise that he has planned with Persis Devore, the interior decorator he hired. Marsha’s nerves get the better of her, and she mistakes the gift for a plot to murder her! With the assistance of her next-door neighbor, she tries to turn the tables on them with a home-brewed poison which goes wrong. In a fast comical blur, Marsha learns her lesson after her friends and family lean into her delusions and pretend to be the Creeping Slasher killers from the novel she's scared yet determined to finish.
For this show, I pulled my inspiration from the popular pink and green color palette of the 80s with some gold and dark brown accents, combined with New York upper-crust comfort. I contemplated using 80’s Memphis Style for their apartment, but the context and attitude of the characters gave me the impression that they’d appreciate antiques and heirlooms over trendy furniture. Tobias Gilmore is a wealthy man who works on Wall Street and lives in an apartment across from an elementary school teacher. He’s wealthy enough to afford an interior designer and a seaplane for his wife’s birthday, but he’s conservative with his finances otherwise as deducted by his neighbor.
Even though this is Tobias’s house, I wanted to give Marsha full control of the decor as it is suggested in the script that her most personal taste is reflected in the bedroom. Tobias’s flares are at the desk on stage left and seen in the onyx jaguar displayed on the mantle. Everywhere else shows Marsha’s comfortable and vintage aesthetic; for example, the matching green wingback chair and sofa, and the green marble high bar top. I frequently compared my choices to “the Barbie movie aesthetic” (directed by Greta Gerwig) as I enjoyed the dichotomy of Ken’s darkly colored decoration within the bright pink walls of the Barbie dreamhouse.
To make my vision come to life, I added a scumble texture to the pink walls, and a spatter on top to create cohesion between the tint and shade. I used generic moldings and casings for the archways and doors and painted them off-white to not distract from my wall paint choice. I tried to pull furniture from storage with a similar wood stain and fixed up any furniture that needed it. My favorite personal project was staining the light blue wingback chair green so that it matched the couch and my target palette. I used a 10:1 mixture of water to paint, a sponge brush, and a 5” bristle brush to quickly layer the stain on the fabric to get an even wash. The process was so expeditious that I didn’t have time to take any photos in action!
This show had such lively characters with distinct personalities and tastes. As a designer, I aided in bringing those out to help the actors make bold choices when speaking about their favors and dislikes. I loved creating such a fun atmosphere for this hilarious murder mystery comedy.
I help with the Greensboro College department's show photography. To see more show photos from "Let's Murder Marsha" and other collegiate productions, click below.
Director: Rebecca Hawkes
S. M. Susan Proctor
A. S. M Kirra Hough
Set Designer: Jordan Ingersoll
Lighting Designer: Sean Saari
T.D.: John Saari
Scenic Artist: Arabella Mason
Prop Mgr.: Nia Burch
Asst. Props: John S./Arabella M./ Caitlin Q.
Sound Designer: David Slifer
Sound Op.: Caitlin Queen
Lighting Op.: Kirra Hough
Costume Design: Casey Pate
House Mgr.: Danielle Aikens
Photographer: Jordan Ingersoll
Copyright © 2024 Jordan Ingersoll’s Theatrical & Artistic Portfolio - All Rights Reserved.
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