Projection Design

Mr. Wolf by Rajiv Joseph

Direction K. Todd Freeman

  • Scenic Walt Spangler

  • Lighting Keith Parham

  • Costume Dede M Ayite

  • Sound Josh Schmidt

Projections Team

  • Associate Parker Molacek

  • Assistant Alice Heemang Kim

  • Projectionist Rick Haefele

Steppenwolf Theatre 2025

“It has a magical set design by Walt Spangler, with set pieces appearing from every direction, along with psychedelic projections from Rasean Davonté Johnson reminiscent of the Stargate sequence in “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Mary Wisniewski NewCity Stage

“Joseph’s play, which packs a lot of emotional twists in its 85-minute runtime, sometimes moves uneasily between domestic drama and a twilight not-quite-real-but-not-really-a-dream world (which, in fairness, is probably accurate for the story at hand). Rasean Davonté Johnson’s projections and Keith Parham’s lighting add texture and a sense of otherworldly/othergalaxy mystery to Walt Spangler’s deliberately generic set for Julie and Michael’s home.” Kerry Reid Chicago Reader

“There is a beautiful scene with a horse: Wolf allows her out of the compound where she is virtually a prisoner to meet a horse to distract her from what she may have witnessed with another girl being killed.  The horse imparts a kind of healing. Rasean Davonte Johnson’s projection design comes together with Josh Schmidt’s sound design to evoke the deeply spiritual energy of a horse.  It is healing for us in the audience: this is not an easy play. Kudos to the designers here collaborating: the elements also poetically invoke an expanding universe earlier in the play as Theresa’s universe cracks wide open.” Angela Allyn Chicago Stage and Screen

“Projection Designer Rasean Davonte’ Johnson overlays the image of a farmhouse in front of a darkened interior with lamp lights providing a glimpse into life inside. The look is quiet and ethereal.” Katy Walsh The Forth Walsh

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► play sample

Photos by Rasean Davonte Johnson and Michael Braslow