Nine to Five is a complicated musical, with constant and rapid location shifts and very few repeated settings. Because of this, the base design needed to be simple and flexible enough to transform quickly, while still feeling vibrant enough to support the energy of the music and dialogue.

To solve this, I worked closely with the lighting designer to create “skyscraper legs” that could shift color to define each location. This color system was echoed on the floor and extended to the rolling units, so that each setting had a distinct visual identity. It allowed us to move quickly between locations while maintaining clarity and cohesion for the audience. I received an Ovation Award Nomination for Outstanding Set Design.