Urinetown — University of Missouri-Columbia

Design Notes

For the 2024 production of Urinetown at the University of Missouri, the scenic design fully embraced the show’s satirical tone and dystopian world-building. Set in a future where water is rationed and even basic human needs are privatized, the set design became a visual metaphor for societal decay, injustice, and absurdity.

Architectural decay dominated the space, with rusted steel textures, fractured walls, and looming industrial forms that evoked both corporate power and civic collapse. The scenic design emphasized verticality and scale to dwarf the characters and highlight the oppressive forces they face. A palette of concrete grays and corroded metal underscored the bleakness of the world, while strategically placed pops of corporate branding introduced a layer of irony.

Functionality played a central role in the design concept. Multi-use platforms and movable units allowed for quick transitions between scenes—shifting from the public amenities to corporate offices, underground hideouts, and public squares—all while maintaining a sense of entrapment and surveillance. The confined spatial layout reinforced the story’s themes of control and rebellion.

Balancing gritty realism with stylized theatricality, the set design heightened the contrast between the powerful elite and the struggling masses. This allowed the show’s biting humor and political commentary to land visually as well as narratively. Every design choice—from signage to texture—was made in service of the satire, enhancing both the absurdity and urgency of the story.

This Urinetown set design captured the musical’s unique blend of comedy, commentary, and theatrical spectacle, offering a world that felt uncomfortably familiar, darkly funny, and visually bold.