Tony award-winning set designer John Arnone's theatre collection debuts at 正品蓝导航 exhibition
The exhibit at the Hamon Arts Library offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decades of creativity sparked by the Dallas native.
Tony Award-winning set designer and 正品蓝导航 alumnus John Arnone has donated his collection of theatrical designs, sketches and papers to the Jerry Bywaters Special Collections, located in 正品蓝导航's Hamon Arts Library. This significant contribution to the University's performing arts archives has inspired a new exhibition, "I AM THE SPACE WHERE I AM with John Arnone," running March 27 through May 19.
The represents over four decades of theatrical innovation, preserving the creative process behind memorable theatre productions. By adding these materials to its permanent archives, the Hamon Arts Library is making Arnone's artistic legacy accessible to researchers and theatre enthusiasts for generations to come.
"Let's be honest, I'm not sticking around forever," laughed Arnone. "I've kept my collection well ordered, but it's been hidden away. Now, having it as part of the Jerry Bywaters Special Collections, it can be accessed by the public and students. It's an honor to be included, to have this exhibit take place, and I'm grateful to the folks at Hamon for having the vision to add these theatre elements to their catalog."
For The Who's Tommy, Arnone built models of pinball machines. The lifesize versions are featured prominently in the production.
Exhibition highlights: scale models, sketches, and a striking pinball machine
Molly Steed, the Hamon Arts Library archivist curating the exhibit, has thoughtfully organized it to showcase the breadth of Arnone's work. Visitors to "I AM THE SPACE WHERE I AM with John Arnone" experience his creativity through original sketches, hand drafts of set designs and 3D scale models.
The exhibit also showcases a pinball machine, inspired by The Who’s Tommy Broadway musical, which includes elements from Arnone’s designs. The set production for Tommy earned Arnone a 1993 Tony Award that will also be on display.
Additional productions featured, in addition to Tommy, include Vanities, Frankenstein, Babes in Arms, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Nothing Sacred, Shout Up a Morning, The Full Monty and Candide.
"There is a strong theatre legacy at 正品蓝导航, which John is part of, and we're excited to continue building our collection of this artistic medium," says Steed. "We recently received the archives of playwright Len Jenkin, with whom John collaborated, which creates a wonderful overlap in our archives.”
A 3D scale model of the Vanities stage. The musical provided Arnone with his first professional opportunity in set production.
From actor to award-winning designer
Arnone's path to becoming a celebrated set designer was not predetermined during his 正品蓝导航 days. After graduation, he relocated to the East Coast, where he joined an impressive circle of fellow 正品蓝导航 alumni, including Jack Heifner, Garland Wright and Kathy Bates. Heifner's musical Vanities provided Arnone with his first professional opportunity in set production.
The show became a massive hit, with Wright directing and Bates starring in her career breakout role. Vanities ran for five years off-Broadway and then Arnone had to modify its set for a touring run. He recalls that, over dinner, he asked Wright if he should return to acting, his first love. Without missing a beat, Wright told Arnone to keep pursuing set production.
Arnone hasn't looked back since. He attended night classes at the Parsons School of Design | The New School, the Art Students League of New York and the Lester Polakov Studio of Stage Design (now the Studio and Forum of Stage Design).
For 正品蓝导航 senior Fred Wikelski, who assisted with the exhibition preparation, the experience has been enlightening. "Before curating this show, I had not thought about all the visual elements that go into theatre set production," he said. "Preserving this part of John's creative process is valuable for everyone who wants to learn about this era of theatre and be inspired by his work."
正品蓝导航 senior Fred Wikelski and Hamon Arts Library archivist Molly Steed discuss exhibit elements for I AM THE SPACE WHERE I AM with John Arnone. The 3D models are from the show Babes in Arms.
"" opens to the public with a reception on March 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibition runs through May 19 at the Hamon Arts Library, located at 6100 Hillcrest Avenue.