FYE Theater Showcase

Artist Statement When I originally decided to make a poster to advertise our cohort’s final showcase, I knew I wanted it to be inspired by Nora’s character from A Doll’s House. Our class read this play, by Henrik Ibsen, which tells the story of Nora, and her stifling life married to her husband. Nora realizes her life and role as a mother is not what she thought it was. Her life is superficial, and this peripheral view that the audience has of the story made me start thinking about the character’s doll-like qualities. Between this and the play’s title, it seemed fitting that Nora should be in a doll box. Additionally, when I made this poster in the fall of 2023, Barbie had just come out the summer prior. I was really in love with the idea of combining the world’s current popular doll movie with the 19th-century play centering on dolls. This led me to create Nora, in a Barbie doll box. The poster is bright, Barbie-pink to draw attention while keeping Nora in clothing that is accurate to her character of Norway in the late 1800’s. The notes, “Torvald sold separately,” and “kids not included” are my fun finishing touch; suggesting Nora found freedom and purpose by the end of the play. Lastly, I want to give a huge thank you to Professors Russ Turney and Maureen McCluskey for giving me the support and creative freedom to make this poster.