Melancholia

Melancholia is a highly stylized theatrical production that premiered inside a circus tent and later transitioned to a large-scale theater, exploring the psychological trauma of a young man returning from the Iraq War and his struggle to reconnect with the real world.

The play featured a cast of 17 actors performing multiple roles—both real and fantastical—while the central character was embodied by three actors who remained on stage together for most of the performance. Being present throughout the rehearsal allowed me to build a close collaborative relationship with the director, cast, and technical team, and to develop a deep understanding of each character’s emotional and narrative arc. This process resulted in the creation of 134 costume changes and the incorporation of meaningful symbolic details.

Designing for this project presented significant challenges, requiring extensive historical and technical research, close coordination with lighting and scenic elements, and precise planning for fast transitions and complex costume changes.

Written by Evelina Fernandez and directed by Jose Luis Valenzuela.