Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost by Erin Shields
Colorado State University - Fort Collins, CO - 2025
Directed By Debbie Swann
Scenic Design by Josie Karet
Lighting Design by Katherine Barr
Costume Design by Chloe Martin
Projection Design by Jake Mosier
Prop Design by Libby Williams
Photography by John Eisele
Sound Design and Composition by Joshua Moore
Assistant Sound Design Danae Johnson
A1 Jack Gonyou
A2 Abby Holm
ACTF Region 7 Merit Award for Excellence in Sound Design
Paradise Lost is a play about the dynamics of control, who has control and what happens when they lose it. Based on John Miltons 17th century poem, shields adaptation presents the story of Genesis through the lens of a female Satan and explores the role of gender in society’s perception of leadership. We use elements of design to differentiate Heaven, Hell and Eden, while simultaneously showing how they are the same.
The Sound Design underscores all 3 realms with evolving soundscapes and original composed music that further creates these worlds. Heaven features a soundscape of mechanical buzzing and fluorescent hums. Hell features rock instruments and distant volcanoes. Eden features world instruments and lush synth beds.
Music Composition
The Fall Part I opened the show with an audio visual retelling of Satan's banishment to Hell. The underscore was inspired by the initial stage directions in the script: "Darkness, Falling, Silence in the Void"
Sin and Death are the embodiments of the concepts they are named after. Their entrance theme echoes sonic themes from Satan but does so in a darker slimier way to represent them working from the shadows.
Pandemonium represents a shift in the power dynamic of the show. Before this moment, God-The Father is in control. "Pandemonium" both sonically and physically lifts Satan into the drivers seat.
The Fall Part II is a reprise of the opening that underscores the movement to the tree. The underscore takes the openings theme and adds world instruments, drums, and an ethereal atmosphere.