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Aga Kunska's Design Interview

January 24, 1998 - 4:50 pm

"Amidst a busy day of installing and focusing lights, designer Aga Kunska met with me to discuss her thoughts on her work on Burning Chrome."
- Robin Schorr

Robin = Robin Schorr
Aga = Aga Kunska

Robin: How did you become connected with the Next Theatre?

Aga: I started as a Master Electrician in order to get to know the space and the people working here. It helped me learn about theatre and design.

Robin: The Next Theatre has recently been noted as being able to "stage the unstageable". What did you initially think about bringing BURNING CHROME to the stage?

Aga: After reading the short story, I thought it would be very tough to translate it onto the stage. It was a large challenge to stage this piece. It goes beyond television and movies.

Robin: Were you into science fiction as a kid?

Aga: I read plenty of fantasy novels when I was younger, not science fiction. I was always familiar with the cyberpunk genre since my friends were always passing different books around to each other.

Robin: Where did you start with your work on BURNING CHROME?

Aga: The most important tool is the story. It's always where I start. It's where I go back to. If you trust the words it will give you freedom from the limitations that you think you have. Going back to the story is the most important thing. But now, it's the script that carries the biggest weight. I think that the script is grittier than the short story. It's more noir. I think that's exactly the way it should be.

I started with metaphors and images. Those are what really inspire me. Also, looking at the set design revealed where I could use shadows and chiarascuro. I'm always designing in my head. There are shapes, outlines and suggestions that help me think in terms of lighting.

Robin: In terms of the design and process, where are you now? (during Tech Week)

Aga: We are more or less creating ideas for what scenes should and should not be. For me, this means that actors need to be seen, but the lighting should not distract the audience from the story. I believe that this is one of the most exciting pieces that I've ever worked on.

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