Our Town is showing here at Parkway Playhouse on May 23-June 1, 2025! We’ve got so many incredible stories happening with this show, and one of them is our unique set. We reached out to our set designer, Carew Henry, to tell us more about it!
What’s your theatre origin story, and how did you get into set designing specifically?
I was born and raised in Burnsville, North Carolina. I have always been entangled with the theater. I was part of Parkway Playhouse Junior when I was in high school, so my history with Parkway Playhouse runs deep. After high school, I attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and graduated with a BFA in scenic design. I returned home after graduation and have been using my skills and knowledge to breathe new life into Parkway Playhouse’s shows and sets.
What has the set design process looked like for Our Town?
This is the 20th set that I have designed and built for the playhouse. This process has been similar to the build and design processes of the other sets I’ve built, but with one exception: the director had a vision to use the old pallets used to deliver supplies during Hurricane Helene. I thought that this was a wonderful idea, so we ran with it. I began to devise ways to use these pallets. Using reclaimed lumber has its pros and cons. The raw wood has gorgeous natural warping, but that can be difficult to work with.
How has the concept for Our Town evolved over these last few months?
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Working with these pallets has been a difficult but rewarding task. The large pallet wall was a process and took a lot of consideration on how to build and design it. I found myself stopping often to concede and analyze the construction and aesthetics. Once I began to speak the language of the pallets, the puzzle fell into place. I then began to build the rest of the set pieces in a similar process. Teaching others how to reclaim wood has been another important step in the process.
What challenges and wins have you experienced designing sets for Parkway Playhouse?
When I first started at Parkway, there were many challenges that I had to overcome. I had to decide on a lot of the scenic spaces. It took me a year or two to make the shop my own. This is now my fourth year here, and I have a great understanding of the space and what it needs to thrive. Although our stage is rather traditional, the rest of the building is extremely unique and historical.
What do you love about working at Parkway Playhouse?
This space feels like home to me, and the people here feel like family to me. I love the freedom that I have here to express my creativity. I know that I can use my skills and knowledge to make Parkway a wonderful and professional theater.
Our Town is showing May 23-June 1, 2025! Find out more and grab your tickets at www.parkwayplayhouse.com/tickets!
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