Set designer Jeremiah Teutsch may not be a household name, but he's the man making waves in the theater world with his uncanny ability to blend his stage fixtures seamlessly into the dramatic worlds he creates. Presently, Teutsch is behind the realistic, carefully crafted setting of "Crimes of the Heart," the latest production from 100A Productions at Carlos Alvarez Theater, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Running until Sunday, this Pulitzer Prize-winning 1981 play by Beth Henley is given life through Teutsch's meticulous attention to historical detail and texture, as San Antonio Report reveals.
The set resonates with the echoes of a late midcentury Mississippi kitchen, reminiscent of Teutsch's own grandfather's kitchen in Lubbock, complete with an avocado-toned stove, Coldspot refrigerator, and the kind of linoleum that screams retro charm. He sourced these elements from various nooks and crannies, including junkyards, vintage stores, and even friendly neighbors with a knack for 1970s decor, although Teutsch told San Antonio Report, all this hustle aims to serve the actors: "Anything I can do to help the actor feel like they’re really living in that spot, that’s what I’m into."
Rick Frederick, the producing artistic director at 100A Productions, first identified Teutsch's potential during a shared stint at the McNay Art Museum. Recognizing his artistic talent in figural drawings and sculptures, Frederick envisioned a future for Teutsch in theater set design. Since their initial collaboration on the AtticRep staging of "Lydia" in 2009, they have joined forces for various productions, with Frederick expressing deep admiration for Teutsch's depth in design, telling San Antonio Report, "His work is very rich in storytelling."
And, it's not just about recreating kitchens of yore. Teutsch peppers his sets with hidden details, or "easter eggs," that encourage audience members to look a little closer. Among these details, a Garth Brooks keychain and photo album gags act as a recurring joke for the keen-eyed, while a functional sink amidst false cabinets adds to the mix of authenticity and illusion. Yet, perhaps the most esoteric of Teutsch's traditions is a backstage picture of 1970s TV stalwart Lyle Waggoner that never sees the light of the audience—a bit of playful irreverence for those in the know. Despite the largely unnoticed efforts that go into restoring stage props after every performance, Teutsch is clear about his passion: "I love doing stuff like that," he said in an interview with the San Antonio Report.
Those looking to catch a glimpse of Teutsch's crafty handiwork in "Crimes of the Heart" before it culminates this weekend can visit the Tobin Center's website for tickets and further details on the production. The set may fade into the background as the actors take center stage, but for Teutsch, and perhaps for the observant theatergoer, the devil is in the details. And, these details play a silent yet vivid role in telling the story unfolding in the limelight.
