Guys on Ice — The Great American Melodrama

Design Notes

Returning to the Great American Melodrama after five years, I had the opportunity to design the scenic world of Guys on Ice, a musical filled with Midwestern charm, humor, and heart. At the center of the design was a small, meticulously crafted ice shanty—both a literal shelter for the characters and a symbolic container for the show’s intimacy. The exterior established a sense of isolation in the vast, frozen Wisconsin landscape, serving as a visual reminder of the characters’ solitude and camaraderie.

Once opened, the shanty revealed a warm, cluttered, and personality-rich interior—a maximalist homage to Wisconsin’s ice-fishing culture. Every item, from vintage thermoses to Green Bay Packers memorabilia, contributed to the authenticity of the space and reinforced the comedic tone of the musical. The set dressing and layered textures didn’t just decorate the stage; they told a story about the characters’ history, habits, and relationships. The shanty itself became a kind of character, supporting transitions and revealing emotional depth through its transformation.

Working alongside the director and a veteran performer, I designed a space that amplified the humor and nostalgia embedded in the script. The scenic design for Guys on Ice prioritized functionality and theatricality, enabling physical comedy while grounding the show in a strong sense of place. The result was a self-contained world where friendship, storytelling, and laughter unfolded naturally—an immersive design that reflected the soul of regional musical theatre.