showbill/Playbill cover design for harry potter and the cursed child on broadway
Hosted by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway | Fall 2024
New York City, NY
Second-place winning Showbill/Playbill Cover Design
“You are a Light to Someone’s Darkness” by Leif Estrada, 2024, 3D model and digital painting.
Showbill Art submission for @cursedchildus
Based and inspired by the stage design by Christine Jones
Music by Imogen Heap
Video and narration by Leif Estrada
*Art glows under UV/black light, watch until the end for glowing effect.
**The Showbill Art can also implement an AR/VR feature.
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Artist Statement:
The stage is set, let the light shine!
Nothing compares to the feeling of excitement as you’re handed a Playbill, or in this case a Showbill—as you step into the theater, whether it’s your first visit or you’re returning for another magical performance.
For my Showbill Art contest submission, I wanted to celebrate the dynamic architecture of the stage, the vital link between the House, the actors, and all those who tirelessly bring the show to life, eight times a week! Focusing on the stage’s intricate details, this piece pays homage to numerous elements of the play…but of course… ssshhhh one must #𝘒𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴.
In a view only seen by few, Hogwarts house banners hang as the clock strikes 11, signaling the departure from Platform 9 ¾ at the start of September. Like a seer, you gaze upon the 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴, a constellation dispelling the darkness with its light - #𝘐𝘯𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘓𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦. Feathers fall from above, hinting that “𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴.”
After the curtain call and being immersed in the exhilarating performance, you hold onto the Showbill as a cherished souvenir. Whenever life dims, you glance at it and are reminded when “𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.”
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Award Statement:
It is truly an honor to receive one of three awards for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child's Inaugural Showbill/Playbill Cover Design Contest.
“My submission intended to celebrate the architecture of the stage that serves as the interface between the House and the performers. Small details pay homage to the production’s history, such as the 2 large black feathers falling referencing the original 2-part Showbills. Most importantly, the concept of “light” being symbolic in theatre - the inscription Inlustret Lumine is glowing; the abstraction of the House as stars; and the Scorpius constellation serving as a light in the darkness. The art is also designed to glow during a scene that uses UV light.”
Film and Theatre Set Design inspired me to study architecture - designing and creating environments that are "other-worldly," always excited me, specifically dynamic stage environments and Weta Workshop's concept of "Big-Atures." Combining my love for theatre, architecture and Harry Potter enabled me to depict and honor the stage designed by Christine Jones while adding details that hint at the production's history and plot. Christine Jones' Tony and Olivier- winning stage design in itself pays tribute to the steel arches of King's Cross Station in London, designed by English architect and civil engineer, Lewis Cubitt. This detail is shown in my cover design.