- Christopher McCollum
Christopher McCollum, Resident Scenic Designer for Theatre Memphis, was recently awarded the Individual Artist Fellowship from the Tennessee Arts Commission in the Theatre Design category. McCollum, formerly of Austin, TX, became the resident designer at Theatre Memphis in 2007, where his work on shows like Cyrano and Thoroughly Modern Millie has earned numerous Ostrander Awards. Here’s what he has to say about what he does.
Intermission Impossible: Did you always want to be a scenic designer?
Christopher McCollum: Yes, at least from the time I was about 15 or 16. I’ve been very blessed to have a family that always encouraged and supported me in a career path that is less than “mainstream”.
Complete this sentence: Every good set has at least one…
strong choice.
Nice. Will you be outdoing yourself next season? What’s the one set everyone should look out for?
Hopefully outdoing but not overdoing. As far as what to look out for, there are so many exciting projects that it is like picking the proverbial “favorite child”. That said, I think one of the projects that I and the rest of the production staff are most excited about is a new set design for A CHRISTMAS CAROL. After 32 great years we wanted to create a fresh look for this classic that will serve us and our patrons for many years to come. The bed does not change but everything else about the set will be new. It remains most certainly a period piece, but hopefully one that has a flow and atmosphere that is slightly more theatrical and contemporary.
