EHS’s fall musical, Little Shop of Horrors, is right around the corner, premiering on November 16, 2023. The work that our performers put into the show, the puppets, and the great musical numbers will be on display, along with the fantastic, iconic props and set. While we might understand the work the performers put into the show, not many people know the talent and effort that goes into creating the props and the set. The Hive asked Mr. Varnham, the building design teacher to explain what goes into set creation.
The Hive: How did you come up with the set designs for Little Shop of Horrors? What’s your process?
Varnham: I work closely with Mrs. Schmitt and Ms. Flynn to design the set. We met early into the summer vacation to formulate a plan for how things should look. We usually start by reflecting on the past performances of Little Shop of Horrors that we have all seen, we watch the movie, and we do a lot of research to create a plan for how we want the set to look. I spent a lot of time researching the mechanics of how puppets on this scale could work.
The Hive: What can we expect the set to look like?
Varnham: The main set is meant to look like the interior of a run down florist’s shop with lots of vibrant colored plants but in a building that really needs cleaning and repairs. There are plant puppets, and they have a taste for blood…that’s all I’m going to say. You HAVE to come and see the show. You will not be disappointed!
The Hive: Are there any unique challenges?
Varnham: The only logistical challenge is that the auditorium is used by lots of different groups, so we cannot have the set on stage until a few weeks before the show. This means that a lot needs to go into the planning for the set to make sure that everything goes together smoothly and that it meets the vision of the director. A lot of things will be made in advance in the classroom and then assembled on stage.
The Hive: Is this something you do in your free time? Are you volunteering?
Varnham: The work that I have done so far has been during my free time, but it will be a huge benefit to have the Building Design classes working on building the main set as this is usually the most time consuming and labor intensive part. I receive a stipend for work that I do outside of my contracted hours, but having my classes working on the show is ideal. It gives students hands-on learning experiences that cover many of the learning objectives for the Building Design class in an authentic and enjoyable way.
The Hive: How did you become involved in the musical Little Shop of Horrors?
Varnham: I got involved with theater tech back in 2008 when I started working at the International School of Jakarta, Indonesia. They needed someone to design and build sets for the school productions and I gladly volunteered. I love watching students performing, and the sets can really help to show off their talents and celebrate the story for each show.
The Hive: Is there anything you would like people to know about what you teach?
Varnham: I would like everyone to know how fun and hands-on the classes in Practical Arts are. These classes teach students real life skills where they learn how to analyze particular problems and then design and make solutions to those problems. Students use these skills for everything. I often have students return and share the cool projects or careers that these classes helped them achieve.
The Hive: When did you move to the US?
Varnham: I moved here in 2018. I was born and grew up in a town just outside of London. I was teaching Design Technology in Indonesia at an International school when I met my wife. She is a special educator who grew up in Berkshire, Vermont, and after living in Indonesia for 10 years, we decided that Vermont was the perfect place for us to put down roots.
The Hive gathered from talking to Mr. Varnham that much thought goes into creating something for people to enjoy. With every exciting task, there are challenges to overcome, but just as many opportunities.
*Corrections: Earlier version stated that premiere was on November 16, 2023.*
