Designing Native Gardens at MainStage: A Fresh Creative Journey Begins
I’m excited to share that I’ve officially begun the design process for MainStage Irving-Las Colinas’ upcoming production of Native Gardens, directed by the incredibly talented Lisa Devine. Many will remember Lisa’s beautiful work last season on Into the Breeches, where she brought a perfect blend of humor, heart, and humanity to the stage. I’m thrilled to collaborate with her again—this time on a play that mixes sharp comedy with timely themes of boundaries, identity, and the idea of what truly makes a home.

Early Design Phase: A Blank Canvas With Big Possibilities
Right now, I’m in the earliest stages of conceptualizing the world of our production. This is always my favorite part—the moment where anything is possible. Before sketches, elevations, or models, it’s all about absorbing the script, talking through ideas with Lisa, and discovering what makes this version of Native Gardens unique.

While many productions take a literal, realistic approach to the neighboring backyards central to the story, Lisa and I are fascinated by the play’s deeper themes: ownership, perspective, cultural contrast, and the idea of nature as both battleground and bridge. This has opened the door to exploring a design that leans more conceptual, symbolic, and visually expressive than you might expect for this show.

This production will look entirely different from previous stagings of Native Gardens.
We’re aiming for something bold. Something unexpected. Something that frames the humor and tension of the play in a fresh visual language—one that invites audiences to experience the story from a new angle.​

Secure Your Tickets for the Final Weekend of Noises Off!
Don't miss your chance to experience the final weekend of Noises Off, presented by MainStage at the Irving Arts Center! This production offers a fresh visual take on the classic farce, but don’t worry—it’s packed with all the tried-and-true chaos that has made this show a staple in theatre for decades.

From perfectly timed door slams to missed cues and misplaced sardines, Noises Off delivers non-stop laughter and backstage mayhem in the most delightful way. Whether you're seeing it for the first time or the fifth, this version brings a new layer of energy and style you won’t want to miss.
🎭 Get your tickets now before the curtain falls!
Click here to purchase tickets
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Final performances are this weekend—see you at the theater!

​Enjoy the video below for a special behind-the-scenes look at Noises Off, presented by Mainstage. From the controlled chaos of slamming doors to the laughter-filled rehearsals, this peek offers a glimpse into the fun and fast-paced world behind one of theater's most beloved comedies.

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.
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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.

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.