“After benefitting from a large and sudden inheritance, the inept and accident-prone Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society embark on producing an ambitious 1920s murder mystery. They are delighted that neither casting issues nor technical hitches currently stand in their way. However, a hilarious series of disasters ensues and the cast start to crack under the pressure. Can they get the production back on track before the final curtain falls? With mayhem, mishaps and malapropisms lurking around every corner, all signs point to no!” -Concord Theatricals
Tilting Platform
The play requires the study platform to “collapse” when its support column is “accidentally” knocked out. To simulate this, the platform is designed to be a giant seesaw. On one side of the seesaw are the actors and furniture. On the other side of the seesaw are counterweights and stagehands. The stagehands safely control the movement by adjusting the counterweight according to the current load on the platform. A latch mechanism is used to lock the platform in place at its various angles. The platform was carefully engineered to ensure it would not bend or break even when experiencing heavy loads at the very end of its 11-foot cantilever.
Role
Technical Director, Engineer
Credits
Play by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields
Directed by J.W. Morrissette and Aaron Muñoz
Stunts Coordinated by Zev Steinrock
Scenic Design by Fallon Podrazik
Costume Design by Amelia Walz
Lighting Design by Resa Fuller
Sound Design by Lizi Shaul
Properties by Josh Doniek
Stage Managed by Hadas Goldberg
Production Managed by Terri Ciofalo
Assistant Stage Managers: Max Allen and Roan Milkie
ATD: Bronwyn Garrett
Stage Carpenter: Cate Freeze
Automation Operator: Stazi Showerman
TD Advisor: Ryan Schultz
Scenic Charge: Christina Rainwater
Staff Carpenters: Anna Atkinson and Kayley Woolums
Dress Rehearsal Photos by Darrell Hoemann
Illinois Theatre, October 2025
Krannert Center, Colwell Playhouse Theater
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
