Theatre Company of Bryan-College Station
Director: Keri Kempf
Set Design: Beth Lowry
Costume Design: Corinne Wright
Lighting Design: Kevin LeDone & George Joubran
Scenic Charge: Maleah Miller
Production photos by Vivian Vu
The Rocky Horror Show is a staple of spooky season at The Theatre Company of Bryan-College Station, and to keep things fresh for returning patrons, each production’s director chooses a different aesthetic for Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s mysterious castle and cadre of ghouls. This year, the theme was “Cowboy Rocky,” inspired by Beyoncé’s highly anticipated Cowboy Carter album, released a few months before production began. A bonus challenge of slotting a seasonal “off-the-menu” production into TTC’s main-stage programming is the shortened timeframe; with just a few weeks to spare between the previous show’s closing and Halloween–the ideal time to see Rocky live on stage–the design team had no time to build any bespoke set pieces. Therefore, my main task as scenic charge for this show was to find creative ways to yeehawssify the existing structures from TTC’s recently-closed Something Rotten.
Something Rotten @ TTC, October 2024
Cowboy Rocky @ TTC, also October 2024
Our director was interested in a somewhat DIY, glam take on the Western aesthetic, so I played around with large, cartoon-style wood grain and classic old-fashioned typefaces for the signs. Though I would have loved more time to further refine and distress the treatment, I am very proud with what we were able to accomplish in just a few short weeks. Keep scrolling to see process and production shots.
1/2 of hand-painted Frankie's Saloon sign
The Rocky Horror Show @ TTC, 2024
The Rocky Horror Show @ TTC, 2024
The Rocky Horror Show @ TTC, 2024
Rustic wooden staircase
Hand-painted theatre sign
Completed Rocky Horror Show set, ready for opening night
