Exhibition
Emerging Designers
Taiwan
Chao-Yu Tsai
Rhinoceros
Selected Category: Lighting Design
Category: Lighting Design
Design Statement
Rhinoceros(2015)
Lighting design concept statement for WSD
By ChaoYu Tsai
In Eugéne Ionesco’s 1959 play, Rhinoceros, Berenger is the ultimate hero and the Rhinoceros are the ultimate anti-hero that everyone (except Berenger) eventually turns into. Ionesco's iconic satire on mindless conformity brings to light the dangers of mass mediocrity and senselessness. This play is part psychological thriller and part absurdist farce. Ultimately a suspenseful dark comedy with a bite.
The lighting concept is to use a bold color to create contrast between Berenger and the rhinoceros. I chose a primary green to show the various character transformations into rhinoceros. A followspot was used to isolate Berenger with a contrasting blue, as he never turns into rhinoceros.
The biggest challenge of designing this play was how to use light to make a small black box theatre appear wider than it actually is. I used sidelight and diagonal backlight to sculpt everything in this space. I also used exaggerated shadows to emphasize the forced perspective established through the scenic design. This made the space appear wider and more absurd.
Gallery
<Photo Credit> Mingshuo Zhao
<Photo Credit> Mingshuo Zhao
<Photo Credit> Mingshuo Zhao
<Photo Credit> Mingshuo Zhao
<Photo Credit> Jim Carmody
<Photo Credit> Jim Carmody
Chao-Yu Tsai
Chao-Yu Tsai designs lighting environments for theatre, concerts, and magic shows, also assisted for professional lighting designer Howell Binkley at La Jolla Playhouse.
His designs have been experienced throughout the United States and Taiwan. He lives in San Diego, California.
In 2012, he graduated from Taipei National University of the Arts in Taiwan with a BFA in Dept. of Theatre Design & Technology. Currently a 3rd year Lighting Design Candidate at UC San Diego. Lighting Design Credits (United States):
Though It May Shift (LD), Native son (LD), HOW TO USE A KNIFE (LD), La Bête (LD), Rhinoceros (LD), Widower (LD), Winter dance (LD), Really Fall (LD), Hollywood (ALD), Golden Boy (ALD), Thesis Works (ALD), Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (ALD). Lighting Design Credits (Taiwan):
Spring Breeze| Dream Chaser, YaShiKi JoEn- the sound of bondage, Genius Night Magic Show, The Master Of Illusion, Go To The Exit, Black Comedy, No Exit, The Dark Side Of The Moon, Dumb Cucumber, Train Fragments, Dumb Burger, Mad Man Education, Under The Table, Goodbye, 1:11 Love, and Any Place-Any Time.
In 2012, he graduated from Taipei National University of the Arts in Taiwan with a BFA in Dept. of Theatre Design & Technology. Currently a 3rd year Lighting Design Candidate at UC San Diego. Lighting Design Credits (United States):
Though It May Shift (LD), Native son (LD), HOW TO USE A KNIFE (LD), La Bête (LD), Rhinoceros (LD), Widower (LD), Winter dance (LD), Really Fall (LD), Hollywood (ALD), Golden Boy (ALD), Thesis Works (ALD), Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (ALD). Lighting Design Credits (Taiwan):
Spring Breeze| Dream Chaser, YaShiKi JoEn- the sound of bondage, Genius Night Magic Show, The Master Of Illusion, Go To The Exit, Black Comedy, No Exit, The Dark Side Of The Moon, Dumb Cucumber, Train Fragments, Dumb Burger, Mad Man Education, Under The Table, Goodbye, 1:11 Love, and Any Place-Any Time.
Email Address: chaoyu310@gmail.com
Theatre Company UCSD Theatre and Dance Deparment
The Premiere Date of Production 2015-11-14
The Premiere Space of Production Theodore and Adele Shank Theatre
Author Eugène Ionesco
Director/ Choreographer Will Detlefsen
Set Designer Raphael Zhao
Lighting Designer Chao-Yu Tsai
Costume Designer Jaymee Ngernwichit
Sound Designer Steven Leffue
Projection and Multi-Media Designer Justin Humpres
Other Creative Collaborator/s Choreographer – Anne Gehman
