Rachel Hauck's journey as a set designer began with tears of joy during a rehearsal for "Swept Away," a musical that brings to life the haunting themes of a 19th-century shipwreck through the emotionally powerful songs of the Avett Brothers. The show premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theater in 2022 and features a stunning centerpiece: a full-scale re-creation of a whaler capsizing, with a lifeboat emerging to carry the show's narrative. This moment was so remarkable that audiences erupted into applause each night during its brief Broadway run.
Hauck's emotional response to witnessing her design manifest before her was profound. "It was the emotional journey of it all,” she recalled, expressing the deep connection between space, physical objects, and emotion in her work. Her vision was so integral that it’s hard to envision "Swept Away" without it. The musical’s original script simply stated, "The boat sinks," but Hauck infused this simple moment with a breathtaking spectacle, pushing the boundaries of stage design.
Director Michael Mayer emphasized that Hauck's ability to conceptualize complex transformations is what sets her apart. “Rachel had this ingenious and beautiful idea of how to do the shipwreck,” he noted, reinforcing the importance of her design choices in creating a captivating theatrical experience. In an industry often dominated by male figures, Hauck has carved out her unique space, proving that no idea is too grand for the stage.
Hauck's emotional response to witnessing her design manifest before her was profound. "It was the emotional journey of it all,” she recalled, expressing the deep connection between space, physical objects, and emotion in her work. Her vision was so integral that it’s hard to envision "Swept Away" without it. The musical’s original script simply stated, "The boat sinks," but Hauck infused this simple moment with a breathtaking spectacle, pushing the boundaries of stage design.
Director Michael Mayer emphasized that Hauck's ability to conceptualize complex transformations is what sets her apart. “Rachel had this ingenious and beautiful idea of how to do the shipwreck,” he noted, reinforcing the importance of her design choices in creating a captivating theatrical experience. In an industry often dominated by male figures, Hauck has carved out her unique space, proving that no idea is too grand for the stage.
