Student Neve Chamberlain is the director of the SMC Troubadours’ production of The Shawshank Redemption.
Putting on The Shawshank Redemption has been a very ambitious project for us. We knew we wanted to make Shawshank feel as real as possible while also respecting the stage as our medium, but the stage has limitations. We had to get creative. Our aim was not to just copy the film. This was going to be our version of The Shawshank Redemption.
We decided to dedicate most of our budget to building the set – a giant prison that spans the full Hart House stage, acting almost as character of its own. We thrifted most of the costumes, handmade many of our props, and decided to rely heavily on lighting and our soundscape.
We created our own soundtrack to match the themes and individual character arcs of the story and chose creative ways to light the stage such that it represents the different settings (e.g. inside the prison vs. the prison yard), rather than moving the entire set on and off.
I think overall this project has been a lesson in innovation for all of us. The talent here at St. Mike’s and U of T is truly inspirational, and I wanted to give everyone an exciting new challenge. I couldn’t be prouder of this team and how they’ve helped bring this show to life. To every actor and crew member, I am in awe of you. To audience members, I hope you can appreciate all the hard work we put into this show, and I hope, even if for a brief moment, you will let the hopefulness of this story radiate through you.
The Shawshank Redemption runs Feb. 13-15 at the Hart House Theatre, located at 7 Hart House Circle, located on the west side of Queen’s Park. Tickets are now on sale.
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