Jeff Sugg is a Philadelphia-based designer and theater maker with more than 20 years experience in the performing arts. He has recently begun to adapt his frequent roll as projection designer into that of principal creator. This Is Just the Beginning marks his first foray into self-generated work. A vaguely self-reflexive work, Sugg hopes to embody his passion for storytelling as it can be told through words, design, and humor. Sugg has designed for a wide range of productions from Broadway to regional theater to European concert halls. He has been a principal collaborator with music/theater artists including Julia Wolfe, Cynthia Hopkins, Jim Findlay, and Mikel Rouse. Select theater credits include: Broadway: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweat, Bring It On, 33 Variations. West End: Tina the Musical. Off-Broadway: Mankind, The Layover, Fortress of Solitude, An Octoroon, Tribes, Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island. Music: Anthracite Fields, Prince’s final appearance on Saturday Night Live. Awards: Lucille Lortel Award, Obie Award, Bessie Award, and two Henry Hewes Design Awards.
Sugg was at MacDowell for two weeks. In that time he was working on his interdisciplinary, solo performance piece, Just The Beginning. His residency allowed him time to compose new music, shoot, and edit video footage, and write text. In addition, the large studio space enabled him to begin work compositing the disparate elements into the first drafts of a structure. He is hoping to be able to show the completed work in late 2019/early 2020.
