Mamma Mia

Role: Technical Director & Scenic/Prop Designer

Mamma Mia! was an absolute powerhouse of a production, demanding massive structural engineering alongside cutting-edge technical innovation. From managing a colossal, multi-story set build to pioneering new digital fabrication techniques, this show pushed the boundaries of what our department could achieve on stage.

The Massive Scenic Build: Scale & Engineering

The Greek island setting was brought to life through a colossal, multi-story set design that maximized every inch of vertical performance space.

• Two-Story Architecture: I engineered and constructed two massive, two-story taverna houses on stage, structurally connected in the center by an 8-foot "love bridge" reinforced with a heavy-duty steel under-structure.

• Actor Real Estate: The upper levels provided over 600 square feet of stable, secure acting space for high-energy choreography.

• Stage Magic: The stage-left house featured functioning dual doors on the lower level that concealed a custom, smooth-rolling trundle bed that glided out seamlessly for Donna’s bedroom scenes.

Augmented Reality (AR) Scenic Painting

To tackle a complex, highly detailed floor mural efficiently, I integrated cutting-edge mixed reality into our scenic workflow.

• The Tech: Using an Oculus Quest 3 with AR passthrough, I mapped the digital mural artwork directly onto the stage floor and pinned it in virtual space.

• The Execution: This allowed me to rapidly trace the entire massive design onto the floor with a Sharpie in a fraction of the usual time, giving my students a perfect, precise outline to follow when they came in to paint.

Advanced Prop Fabrication & Innovation

When rare or traditional props weren't readily available or practical, I turned to custom 3D design and manufacturing to fill the gaps.

• 3D-Printed Bagpipes: Tasked with sourcing a rare set of bagpipes for the show, I bypass the supply chain entirely by custom 3D printing a full-scale prop replica specifically for the production.

• The Universal Ear-Mic Prototype: Mamma Mia! served as the live testing ground for a major technical innovation: the prototype of a universal, moldable lavalier ear-piece. 3D-printed from a flexible, skin-safe rubber, this custom piece features an integrated cable channel that fits any standard lavalier microphone. It molds perfectly to the performer's ear without requiring harsh facial tape, drastically accelerating backstage mic swaps and ensuring secure, low-profile placement during intense dance numbers.