Dive into the world of David Korins: A journey through iconic Broadway designs
A new exhibition in Tucson
David Korins, the visionary scenic designer behind Broadway hits like Hamilton, Beetlejuice, and Dear Evan Hansen, is bringing his creative genius to Tucson, Arizona. His latest exhibition, Stages of Imagination: The Iconic Broadway Designs of David Korins, opens this weekend at the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures and will run through May 31, 2025. This immersive experience invites visitors to explore the intricate world of Korins’ designs.
The mind behind the magic
Korins, whose impressive portfolio includes work on the Academy Awards, Mrs. Doubtfire, Here Lies Love, and The Who’s Tommy, was personally invited by the museum’s executive director, William Russo, to showcase his work. Korins shares, ”I wanted to drill down deeper and look at five projects. By examining these, people will see how each looks different, yet they share a collaborative spirit.”
A curated selection of musicals
Korins selected five musicals for the exhibition: Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Beetlejuice the Musical, The Who’s Tommy, and his latest project, Here Lies Love. Each of these productions offers a unique glimpse into the collaborative process that brings a Broadway show to life.
Hamilton
For those unfamiliar with Hamilton, it’s a revolutionary musical that blends hip-hop, jazz, and R&B to tell the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. Watch the trailer.
Dear Evan Hansen
Dear Evan Hansen is a poignant tale of a high school student struggling with social anxiety and the impact of a lie that spirals out of control. Watch the trailer.
Beetlejuice the Musical
Beetlejuice the Musical brings the quirky and darkly comedic world of Tim Burton’s classic film to the stage. Watch the trailer.
The Who’s Tommy
The Who’s Tommy is a rock musical based on The Who’s 1969 rock opera album, telling the story of a “deaf, dumb, and blind” boy who becomes a pinball wizard. Watch the trailer.
Here Lies Love
Here Lies Love is a unique musical experience that transforms the theater into a dance club, telling the story of Imelda Marcos, the former First Lady of the Philippines. Watch the trailer.
Behind the scenes of Broadway magic
In curating the exhibition, Korins conducted in-depth discussions with directors, actors, and writers. He emphasizes, “There is no such thing as set design by David Korins. It’s hundreds of people making thousands of decisions. The final set of Hamilton is the result of many artists working together.”
The exhibition will feature original models, sketches, paint elevations, and early ideas that showcase how Korins and his team transform scripts into grand Broadway productions. Among the highlights are Korins’ notes from Hamilton, which started as the Hamilton Mixtape. “I read the play and made all these little notes. Those notes became the set, the platform for the show,” Korins recalls.
The power of miniatures
Korins hopes the miniatures will inspire audiences. “These models are tools for communication, used in rehearsal rooms to tell some of the most important thematic stories of a generation. Encapsulated in those five shows are themes of trauma, love, marriage, uprising, revolution, and death. They’re all extraordinarily big stories launched from these tiny environments.”
Engaging the community
As part of the exhibition, Korins will be in residency for several weeks, conducting master classes, design workshops, and symposia for the public and design students. This offers a unique opportunity for aspiring designers and theater enthusiasts to learn from one of the industry’s leading figures.
Final thoughts
David Korins’ Stages of Imagination exhibition is more than just a display of scenic designs; it’s an exploration of the collaborative spirit and creative process that brings Broadway to life. Whether you’re a fan of theater, a budding designer, or simply curious about the magic behind the scenes, this exhibition promises to be an enlightening and inspiring experience.