There's a portrait that watches over the Macklanburg Playhouse. If you've ever performed there, you've seen it—Maude Adams, eyes just over your shoulder as you step into the light. The original Peter Pan. A Broadway icon. But more than that: a pioneer in theatrical lighting and the former head of the drama department at Stephens College.

Designing All My Sons at Stephens College in 2010 was a turning point in my journey as a scenic designer. Rooted in personal history and Miller’s enduring themes, the set embodied realism, symbolism, and collaboration—capturing both the promise of post-war America and the moral weight beneath it.

This new course project highlights how theatrical training extends beyond the stage. Students at Stephens College designed a Studio Ghibli–inspired immersive restaurant, blending scenic design, costume, branding, and menu development into a professional-scale themed entertainment pitch. The result: a fully realized dining concept where storytelling and hospitality merge into a multi-sensory guest experience.