Josh Barilla (he/him) is a set and production designer based in Brooklyn. He is most interested in telling contemporary stories that ask big questions and give the audience space to make their own conclusions. His fascination with nature, how it infiltrates urban spaces, and how the city landscape interferes with the human experience of nature, is frequently present in his work. In his designs, he often plays with familiar architecture on stage in a way the audience may not have been confronted with in a theatrical context. Having the audience experience extend beyond the proscenium, creating a fully immersive experience, is something Josh is always looking to explore in set design. He believes that theater spaces should be accessible for all that want to experience it and is committed to fighting for equitability for those creating it.
“Hunger” is a play written by Maria Irene Fornes that tells the story of a homeless woman named Carmen who wanders the streets of New York City in search of food and shelter. The play explores themes of poverty, survival, and the human condition as Carmen encounters various characters who either help or hinder her quest for sustenance. Through her experiences, Carmen ultimately discovers the power of human connection and the importance of empathy and compassion in a world that often neglects its most vulnerable citizens.
Coming straight out of the hardship of the pandemic I was thinking a lot about the difficulties of receiving support from antiquated system of government we are dependent on. Dealing with these systems can feel like an endless cycle of phone calls and hoops to jump through in order to receive basic necessities.
This design creates a container of government in which these characters cannot escape. They must wait and ponder their existence as they await they’re compensation; a stream of pennies to satisfy their hunger.
Maria Irene Fornes
New York Theater Workshop
Dominique Morisseau
Brandon Dirden
Justin Propper
NYU Tisch Grad Acting/Design
Atlas Theatre