Join me for a night of laughter, luxury, and live theatre! Come see Noises Off presented by Mainstage!
Let’s kick things off in style at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas for a pre-show gathering. 📍 The Ritz-Carlton, Las Colinas 4150 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75038 🗓 Friday, July 18th 🕔 5:00 PM We’ll meet in the lounge for cocktails, conversation, and a relaxing start to the evening in one of the most beautiful settings in the area. Then, just a 5-minute drive away, we’ll head over to the theater for a night of classic comedy: 🎭 Noises Off at the Irving Arts Center 📍 3333 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75062 🕢 Curtain at 7:30 PM If you love physical comedy, fast-paced chaos, and all things theatre, Noises Off delivers big laughs and backstage mayhem in the best possible way.
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Q: This is your third time designing the set for Noises Off. What draws you back to this show? A: Noises Off is a farce unlike any other—it's a perfect storm of physical comedy, timing, and technical challenges. The set is basically a character in itself, and every version I’ve done brings new ways to refine, rethink, and re-engineer how it all works. Q: How has your approach to the set evolved over the three productions? A: The first time was all about figuring out the mechanics: rotating the set, making sure the doors and stairs could handle the chaos. The second time, I refined the layout and improved the structural durability. Now, in this third version, I’m focusing more on the character of the set—how it supports the humor, timing, and storytelling. It’s more polished but just as full of surprises. Q: What’s the biggest challenge when designing Noises Off? A: The biggest challenge is balancing comedy with construction. The set has to rotate, survive nightly abuse from slamming doors, and still be safe and functional. Timing is everything in this show, and that means the set has to be as precise as the actors’ performances. Side note, I will be sharing many posts about the design and in each of those posts you will be able to meet the cast. Q: Does it get easier each time you do it? A: In some ways, yes—I know what to expect now. But each space and production brings new challenges. I’ve never done the same version twice. It’s like revisiting a complex recipe: you tweak a little here, add something there, and always try to make it better than before. Q: Is it still fun the third time around? A: Absolutely. In fact, it’s more fun because I know the show inside and out. I can anticipate what’s needed and collaborate more deeply with the cast and director. And honestly, hearing the audience laugh at something that required so much precision—it never gets old. Noises Off runs July 18th through August 2nd
Ticket range from $26.50-$33.50 Performances are held at: 3333 North MacArthur Blvd., Irving, TX 75062 Map & Directions Box Office: 972-252-2787 (ARTS) Box Office Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12pm - 5pm Email: [email protected] Click here to purchase tickets! ![]() There’s nothing quite like the energy of a first rehearsal—especially for a show like Noises Off. Last night, the cast gathered for the very first time to sit around the table and read through the script together. It’s always a special moment. This table read is where the actors begin to find their rhythm, hear the play out loud, and start to understand how their characters move through the whirlwind of doors, sardines, and chaos that make this farce such a beloved theatrical experience. While the cast dove into the hilarity of the script in one room, I was in the rehearsal hall with our carpenter, taping out a full-scale floor plan of the set. It’s a unique challenge with a show like Noises Off, which relies so heavily on precise physical comedy and choreography. The set practically becomes a character of its own. By taping out a life-size version of the set’s blueprint directly onto the floor, we’re giving the actors the chance to start learning their traffic patterns and blocking from day one. I also love to leave the scale model of the set in the rehearsal space from the very beginning. It becomes a constant reference point—a visual reminder of where we’re headed. Actors can look at the model and start to imagine how their characters will interact with the space once we’re on stage. It helps ground the process and gives everyone a shared sense of the final product. Side note, I will be sharing many posts about the design and in each of those posts you will be able to meet the cast.
I’m excited to share that the set model for MainStage’s upcoming production of Noises Off, directed by the brilliant BJ Cleveland, is officially complete! Designing this show is always a wild ride, and this marks my third time tackling this hilariously chaotic farce. Each time I try to bring something new to the table—and this time, I’ve added a unique twist: a custom-built wooded show portal inspired by the late, great Peter Wolf. It gives the production a striking visual frame that sets the tone for the madness to come!
The model is packed with detail and built to scale. Can’t wait to see it come to life on stage. Stay tuned for build progress updates! Side note, I will be sharing many posts about the design and in each of those posts you will be able to meet the cast. I’m excited to share that I'm about wrap up the design plans for MainStage Irving-Las Colinas' upcoming production of Noises Off, directed by the incomparable BJ Cleveland. This will mark my third time designing this brilliantly chaotic farce, and while the timing and technical demands never get easier, the challenge always feels fresh — and wildly fun. For this version, I wanted to find a way to make the set stand apart from the many productions of Noises Off I’ve seen or been a part of over the years. The play is already a designer’s playground — full of split-second timing, backstage antics, and that famous rotating set — but I felt this one needed a signature visual stamp. That inspiration came in the form of a wooded show portal designed by the late Peter Wolf, a legendary figure in Dallas theatrical design. This piece was originally created for the Dallas Music Hall’s production of The Sound of Music, and when I saw it, I knew it would add an unexpected warmth and charm to the set — a grounded, almost storybook frame to contain the beautiful madness of this show. Incorporating Peter’s work into this design feels like both a tribute and a way to elevate this production visually beyond the expected. Side note, I will be sharing many posts about the design and in each of those posts you will be able to meet the cast. I’ve used scenic drops by Peter Wolf before in several previous designs — On Golden Pond, Into the Breeches, and Gypsy. Trying to reimagine or add in new elements can be a daunting task but I am really excited about introducing this piece to add to the story telling. As always, I’m grateful to be collaborating with such a talented director and I can’t wait to see the cast bring the set to life (and occasionally destroy it) night after night.
More to come soon, including build photos and backstage sneak peeks. Until then, thank you for following along — and don’t miss Noises Off when it opens at the Irving Arts Center. This one is going to be a riot. Joseph Cummings Scenic Designer, Noises Off | MainStage Irving-Las Colinas |
Behind the CurtainJoseph CummingsMy blog is all about the design process, set design, and designers I love. Take a look behind the curtain! Categories
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