The Playboy of the Western World

In Spring 2025 I had the opportunity to be the lead lighting designer for our production of "The Playboy of the Western World: A New Version" by Bisi Adigun. I was inspired by the gritty, dark, and comedic storytelling of a Nigerian asylum seeker figuring out his place in a new country while he escapes his past. Stumbling into an Irish pub on his first day, it's owners and regulars welcome him to their home as they all struggle with learning the truth of each others past and the way it shapes and changes how they interact placing an emphasis on the challenges for African immigrants in Ireland. My main goal with my lighting design was to give the realistic feeling of being in a dark run down Irish pub while also creating moments of suspense and worry as the story continues to unravel and spiral towards a violent and chaotic ending. This production pushed me to strengthen what I had learned in class and previous productions utilizing lights to create an experience and bring the audience to Dublin for a pint of Guinness and a jaw-dropping play.