Broadway: Production Design

Production Design

Imagine watching all of your favorite Broadway shows without any backdrops, or special effects. Production design sets the time, place, even the whole feel of the show. What goes on behind the scenes is just as important as what is going on onstage.

The set of a Broadway production is so important. It gives the viewers a general idea of the setting of the show, and when it takes place. Without brilliant people such as Tim Hatley (Spamalot), Stanley Meyer (Beauty and the Beast), David Rockwell (Hairspray) and many more, there wouldn't be the same magic on Broadway as there is now.

In order for a Broadway show to look and sound it's best, the theatre needs a great creative team. The members of the creative team consist of the lyricist, composer, costume designer, set designer, and more. People even get awards for their sets, costumes, etc. at the Tony Awards!

Some men and women actually take on the WHOLE job of production design; they don’t break it up into little groups. Mark Thompson, for example was credited for Production Design in Mamma Mia.

In 2004, Susan Hilferty won best costume design for Wicked. Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer won best Lighting Design for Assassins. Kathleen Marshall won best choreography for Wonderful Town, and Michael Starobin won Best Orchestrations for Assassins.

Without a creative team, all you would have in your show are actors and actresses. No special effects, no amazing backdrops, no music or costumes either. As you can see, Production Design is a big part of what makes Broadway so magical.


	Production Design Imagine watching all of your favorite Broadway shows without any backdrops, or special effects. Production design sets the time, place, even the whole feel of the show. What goes on behind the scenes is just as important as what is going on onstage. The set of a Broadway production is so important. It gives the viewers a general idea of the setting of the show, and when it takes place. Without brilliant people such as Tim Hatley (Spamalot), Stanley Meyer (Beauty and the Beast), David Rockwell (Hairspray) and many more, there wouldn't be the same magic on Broadway as there is now. In order for a Broadway show to look and sound it's best, the theatre needs a great creative team. The members of the creative team consist of the lyricist, composer, costume designer, set designer, and more. People even get awards for their sets, costumes, etc. at the Tony Awards! Some men and women actually take on the WHOLE job of production design; they don’t break it up into little groups. Mark Thompson, for example was credited for Production Design in Mamma Mia. In 2004, Susan Hilferty won best costume design for Wicked. Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer won best Lighting Design for Assassins. Kathleen Marshall won best choreography for Wonderful Town, and Michael Starobin won Best Orchestrations for Assassins. Without a creative team, all you would have in your show are actors and actresses. No special effects, no amazing backdrops, no music or costumes either. As you can see, Production Design is a big part of what makes Broadway so magical.