Building Lilly's World: Design and Performance in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Location
Humanities Fine Arts Building, Raymond J. Lammers Proscenium Theatre
Event Website
https://2026undergraduateresearchsy.sched.com/event/2IxYT/building-lillys-world-design-and-performance-in-lillys-purple-plastic-purse
Start Date
15-4-2026 2:30 PM
End Date
15-4-2026 3:15 PM
Description
Children’s theatre has historically played an important role in introducing young audiences to live performance while encouraging creativity. This panel explores the creative process behind the University of Minnesota Morris Theatre production of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, adapted for the stage by Kevin Kling from the beloved children’s book by Kevin Henkes. The show celebrates the 50th annual children’s theatre production at the University of Minnesota Morris, a long-standing tradition of creating imaginative and accessible theatre for young audiences. The panel will examine how, with the help of faculty designers, undergraduate students collaborated in the areas of lighting, props and performance to bring Lilly’s vibrant imagination to life on stage. The panel will examine how the creative team transformed a well-known picture book into a dynamic stage performance. These design and performance elements help translate the simple illustrations and narrative of a picture book into a fully realized theatrical environment. Students will reflect on their process and their recognition of being a part of the 50th children's theater production held at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Publication Date
2026
Building Lilly's World: Design and Performance in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Humanities Fine Arts Building, Raymond J. Lammers Proscenium Theatre
Children’s theatre has historically played an important role in introducing young audiences to live performance while encouraging creativity. This panel explores the creative process behind the University of Minnesota Morris Theatre production of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, adapted for the stage by Kevin Kling from the beloved children’s book by Kevin Henkes. The show celebrates the 50th annual children’s theatre production at the University of Minnesota Morris, a long-standing tradition of creating imaginative and accessible theatre for young audiences. The panel will examine how, with the help of faculty designers, undergraduate students collaborated in the areas of lighting, props and performance to bring Lilly’s vibrant imagination to life on stage. The panel will examine how the creative team transformed a well-known picture book into a dynamic stage performance. These design and performance elements help translate the simple illustrations and narrative of a picture book into a fully realized theatrical environment. Students will reflect on their process and their recognition of being a part of the 50th children's theater production held at the University of Minnesota Morris.
https://digitalcommons.morris.umn.edu/urs_event/2026/panel/1