Lysistrata
Presented as the first live performance on campus during the pandemic, this 2021 production of Lysistrata—directed by Jay Stratton at the University of Texas at El Paso—transformed the Fox Fine Arts courtyard into a safe and immersive outdoor theatre.
The scenic design reimagined the space through layered classical and contemporary elements. Custom banners and symbolic sculptures anchored the performance in a space of protest, ritual, and rebirth.
Video elements further illustrated the flow of audience and actor movement throughout the space. By capturing circulation, proximity, and sightlines, the video emphasized how design responded directly to cultural urgency at the height of the pandemic.
Rendered and modeled in support of both performance and public health, the layout incorporated socially distanced audience pods—transparent domes, shielded seating areas, and open plaza configurations—ensuring visibility, safety, and intimacy despite the required separation.
The courtyard’s modernist architecture became a striking backdrop for dynamic staging, while elevated balconies and ground-level playing spaces allowed for vertical movement and visual variety.
