Using the graphic novel Dark Room by Lila Quintero Weaver, Visual Period Styles students engaged with key moments in the American Civil Rights Movement as seen through the eyes of a young Argentinian immigrant.

Purpose: 
Applying the skills, tools, and theories acquired over the course of the first class module, students completed in-depth research using a variety of primary resources and synthesize it for application in a hypothetical adaptation of a graphic novel to the stage. This project highlighted students' strengths as both a researcher and creative designer to build a visual world filled with meaningful content and aesthetically sophisticated choices in support of a story. It showcases a culturally competent design practice and the ability to analyze, both in writing, through, visuals, and in an oral presentation, the socio-political context of clothing, art, and architecture and its place in history. By engaging in this project, students gained a better understanding of how visual and period styles interact and relate to a specific discipline as a theatre artist. Students are also able to contextualize visual period styles as an important part of human history.