RICHARD HEFFNER

The PURE Theatre Podcast

The Stage as a Character: A Conversation Richard Heffner

Richard Heffner discusses his early experiences in theater and his transition from being in a band to becoming a set designer. He talks about his journey from West Virginia, his work in Charleston's theater community, his experiences with Footlight Players, and his contributions to PURE Theatre. Heffner emphasizes the importance of the set as a character itself in a play, rather than just a backdrop, illustrating this with discussions concerning recent productions like 'Compulsion'. He also briefly touches on his background in playing music and how it, in a vicarious way, relates to his current work.

Photograph - David Mandel Photography - from The PURE production of Lloyd Suh's THE CHINESE LADY

Music From Artlist

ORKAS - You Know What You Want

Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon

00:06 Introduction

00:06 The Role of Set Design in Theater

00:30 Richard Heffner: The Man Behind the Scenes

01:33 Journey into Theater: From Band to Stage

03:26 The Charleston Music Scene in the 80s

06:00 Transition from Music to Graphic Design

07:05 Entering the World of Theater Set Design

08:41 First Experiences as a Theater Designer

08:49 The Evolution of Charleston's Footlight Theater

10:07 The Art and Challenges of Theater Design

18:44 The Impact of English Literature on Design Approach

20:09 The Making of 'Compulsion': A Case Study

27:21 Looking Forward: Anticipating the Next Theater Season

28:07 Conclusion: The Intersection of Music and Theater