As the curtains open on this year’s production of A Christmas Carol, the first thing seen by the audience is not Ebenezer Scrooge. Nor is it Tiny Tim. Instead, the spectators see numerous buildings. Crooked in appearance, these looming structures set the mood of A Christmas Carol. 

Richard Burke is the head of set design and construction for the City High Drama Department, but design for the show did not entirely fall on his shoulders. 

“It was really a collaborative effort between Lauren Darby and Havilah and Troy Peters,” Burke said. 

Burke went on to explain the inspiration of the show’s background. Much of the set was based on the German Expressionism period.

“The period presents a sort of disjointed, maybe unsettling view of the world where things are askew and at angles. That’s what drove having the buildings set at angles and tipping. Scrooge’s world is a little bit of a nightmare,” Burke explained.

The set can be seen coming to life in the four performances of the show. A Christmas Carol will be held December 6 and 7 at 7:30 pm, as well as shows on December 7 and 8 at 2:00 pm. Tickets can be bought at the door.