Transforming Space Over Time: Set Design and Visual Storytelling with Broadway’s Legendary Directors

by Beowulf Boritt

Transforming Space over Time tells the stories of six diverse five on Broadway and one Off Broadway. Tony Award–winning set designer Beowulf Boritt begins with the moment he was offered each job and takes readers through the conceptual development of a set, the challenges of its physical creation, and the intense process of readying it for the stage. Theater is at heart a collaborative art form, and Boritt shares revealing details of his work with the many professionals—directors, designers, technicians, producers, stage managers, and actors—who contribute their talent and ideas to each show. Included here are extensive conversations with theater legends James Lapine, Kenny Leon, Hal Prince, Susan Stroman, Jerry Zaks, and Stephen Sondheim, explaining how their different approaches to theater help to shape the vision for a set and best practices for creative collaboration. Boritt also offers valuable insights into the sometimes frustrating but unavoidable realities of the “biz” part of showbiz—budgets, promotion, reviews, and awards.

Full of indispensable advice for aspiring and seasoned professionals, and with plenty of entertaining and enlightening anecdotes to engage passionate theatergoers, Transforming Space over Time peels back the curtain and illuminates the artistry and craft of professional theatrical production—and particularly the all-important collaboration of designers and directors.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Theatre, Art

494 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 15, 2022

Reviews

[Kristin Boes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recognize that the Venn diagram intersection between people who would be interested in a treatise on Broadway theater scenic design and people who will see my Goodreads review is, essentially, just me. But oh well. This book scratched every theater tech nerd itch that I have. It's probably a good thing that I didn't have access to a book like this when I was 17, or I would have insisted on following through with that theater major plan.
I've seen a few of the shows that Beowulf Boritt has designed and been impressed, but getting a look-see into his process, inspirations, theatrical magic tricks, and collaborations with literal legends just made him even more amazing to me. And bookending each chapter with an interview with the director just made the whole thing more fascinating. Many times throughout my reading, I audibly gasped and said "WOW!!" as he described everything that went into a particular effect. And while my little community theatre group is nothing like the stages he works on, I loved that he shared the pains of tech not working right, or having to fit everything backstage, or last-minute changes based on directorial caprices.
If you're at all interested in theater magic, find this book.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I don't know much about Broadway theaters, the author gives great examples of how set designs roll out, and they inspire me on how to do research for a design.
In the last chapter, the author advises readers who want to get into the industry -- "to encourage the lightning of luck to strike and be prepared to deliver brilliantly when it does."
1. Network. Go to a place where has an thriving industry, and learn how to be gregarious.
2. Say yes to everything and love everything. The more experience one takes on, the more chances they gain. And by love everything, the author means that even if you found a project is stupid or plain bad, press on and make your contribution help compensate for its inadequacy. "When finding something about it that excites you; it will make your work better."
3. Don't be an asshole.
4. Be ready to do the hard work once you have the opportunity. You need to have an idea and a plan, prepared while going in.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boritt is one of the best of the current crop of Broadway set designers and his work is amazing. I kind of wish the book just ditched the small black and white illustrations throughout and added more of the larger color plates. I don't know how much I learned about set design from this, because the scale and cost of Broadway production is so different than what most theaters can begin to attempt that it was hard to draw parallels, but the central aim is to explore how directors can use set design to help tell their story. Boritt describes his own design of several of his best works, then has an interview with the director. This aspect is fun, because the directors are people like James Lapine, Hal Prince, Stephen Sondheim and Susan Stroman, big names for anyone who loves theater.

[Christine Toy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illuminating and Inspiring!

This is a wonderfully written, insightful, and fascinating book by one of Broadway’s most brilliant scenic designers. What a joy to get a window in on Beowulf Boritt’s process accompanied by conversations with some of his illustrious collaborators! I’ll never look at a set the same way again, as an audience member, playwright, or actor! There’s nothing in the world like theatrical magic, and seeing a designer’s perspective through the stories in this book took me by surprise by affirming the unapologetic love I already have for my own life in the theatre times a hundred. Highly recommended.

[Rachel Roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really loved both the design chapters and the interview chapters here, but not 100% sure they meshed well together. But as a theatre nerd and theatre professional, this was overall an incredible read!

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating MUST-READ for all Broadway design nerds!

[Neil Koivu · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book. I tried to not read it all at once. Such great insight into Beowulf’s process and working with different directors.

[Colleen Jaskulski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved! An honest, in-depth insight into the minds of some of our most prolific directors and designers.

[AG]

I really really loved this! I think there is a lot for directors, designers, and just people who enjoy theatre to learn from this. Very happy I actually read it finally.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for any theatre director or set designer.