Based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, Book by Kyle Jarrow, & Musical Production conceived by Tina Landau
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting Design: Patrick Mathis
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Projection Design: Joshua Reaves
Choreography: Danica Jackson
Photos: Ron Foreman, Robert Davezac
“A dynamic, sloping stage gave the illusion of sand drifts, and the colorful scenery from Jayme Mellema (paper plates, bubble wrap, and egg cartons were used to make a convincing reef) did indeed transport the audience into a cartoon-like world before the show began. “ -Dustin K. Britt (Chatham Life and Style)
Music by Stephen Flaherty, Book by Terrance McNally, & Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting Design: Jennifer Sherrod
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Choreography: Lomarev Jones
Photos: Ron Foreman, Nick Faulkner
“Imagine that you have the heart of a young child and you’re placed in the center of a candy store. What does it look like when you scan the store with your eyes? What does it feel like to be in the position to feed your face with sweetness? Perhaps this is a somewhat glamorized introduction, or perhaps it’s just the visual magnitude of North Carolina State’s University Theatre production of Ragtime that is so inspiring.” -Dani Jessant (RDU on Stage)
Music, Book, & Story by Steve Martin; Music, Lyrics, & Story by Edie Brickell
NC State University Theatre
TheatreFEST ‘19
Direction: Rachel Klem
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
“Jayme Mellema's brilliant unit set wows you as soon as you take your seat. Its appealing wooden structure, from the crazy quilt of planks that imitate a mountain range to the barn-like roof beams that look like trees, envelop the audience on the Titmus Theatre's "widescreen" stage.” -Roy C. Dicks (CVNC.org)
“…the quality of production was superb. Wood-panelled mountains in the set design (courtesy of scenic designer, Jayme Mellema) really thrust the audience into the rustic atmosphere. Lights in mason jars, hung like stars, evoked a strong sense of the Asheville night sky.” -Naveed Moeed (Chatham Life and Style)
By Thornton Wilder
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting Design: Christina L. Munich
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
“The design was just so good, so cohesive, a triumph of what is possible when some of the most skilled artists in our region achieve their highest collaborative potential. The very human and realistic converges with the ethereal and eternal with swirls of blues and purples and twinkling stars.” -Johannah Maynard Edwards (RDU on Stage)
“Once we entered the Titmus Theatre, we were seated in front of the most stunning set I’d ever seen, designed by Jayme Mellema: a starry night sky backdrop complete with light-up stars, with a road map of the fictional town of Grover, New Hampshire in 1901, where the play takes place.” -Ivana Vazquez (Chatham Life and Style)
By Agatha Christie
NC State University Theatre
TheatreFEST ‘19
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting Design: Christina L. Munich
Projection Design: Jayme Mellema
Costume Design: Adrienne McKenzie
Photos: Ron Foreman
“The magic of the set and its multiple changes is in the hands of scenic designer Jayme Mellema…. It really must be experienced to be fully appreciated…” -Kurt Benrud (Triangle Arts and Entertainment)
“Design is often the strongest suit of N.C. State’s University Theatre, and Go Back for Murder, the TheatreFest 2019 summer-season opener, is no exception.” -Byron Woods (Indyweek.com)
Music by John Kander , Book by Joe Masteroff, & Lyrics by Fred Ebb
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting Design: Jennifer Sherrod
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Choreography: Tara Z. Mullins
Photos: Ron Foreman
“The crowning jewel of the technical design was the marriage of Jennifer Sherrod's lighting design and Jayme Mellema's stunning set design. The single design of a dilapidated skyline in the background of the glamorous Kit Kat Klub proscenium was absolutely Broadway caliber.” -Spencer P. Phillips (CVNC.org)
By William Shakespeare
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting Design: Patrick Mathis
Projection Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
“Mellema's set is a striking array of hidden temple doorways, speckled forest stones, and white translucent curtains, scattered around like trees, falling onto a colorful woodland floor.
This production's collision between stark minimalism and lush impressionism is reminiscent of Tony Straiges's iconic set for Sunday in the Park with George.” -Dustin K. Britt (Chatham Life and Style)
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by John Weidman
NC State University Theatre
TheatreFEST ‘22
Direction: Danica Jackson
Lighting Design: Patrick Mathis
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Projection Design: Jayme Mellema
Photos: Ron Foreman
By George C. Wolfe
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Ron Foreman
Lighting Design: Christina L. Munich
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Projection Design: Joshua Reaves
By Jaclyn Backhaus
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Rachel Klem
Movement Direction: Dana Marks
Lighting Design: Christina L. Munich
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
Music by Lucy Simon, Book & Lyrics by Marsha Norman
NC State University Theatre
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Projection Design: Joshua Reaves & Jayme Mellema
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
“The scenic design by Jayme Mellema is one of the most striking I have seen for this play.” -Alan R. Hall (CVNC.org)
By George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber
NC State University Theatre
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: John C. McIlwee
Photos: Ron Foreman
The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Rachel Klem
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: John C. McIlwee
Photos: Ron Foreman
“Using a superb set that combines everything from the idyllic fields and woods of modern Connecticut to a nicely stocked Garter Bistro, The Real Housewives of Windsor uses every single technique of modern television to tell us this ages-old tale.” -Alan R. Hall (CVNC.org)
By Patrick Barlow
NC State University Theatre
TheatreFest ‘18
Direction: Rachel Klem
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
“Scenic designer Jayme Mellema has created an awesome replica of the interior of a 1935 theater in London’s West End, complete with balcony boxes and footlights. Amazing! Equally amazing is the show itself — a comic masterpiece.” -Pamela Vesper & Kurt Benrud (Triangle Arts and Entertainment)
By Jeffrey Hatcher
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Projection Design: Jayme Mellema
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
“Further, the show is performed on one of the most beautifully staged and integral sets to come along in this new century — a gorgeous glass array of doors, nine of them, mirrored yet clear, depending on how they are lit. …If it sounds like I'm gushing, I am. While this show would stand on the shoulders of this cast alone, this play is raised considerably by a stunning set. Comprising two separate stories and a vast array of the apothecary's tools, this set is to die for. Designed by Jayme Mellema and lit by Joshua Reaves, this performance space is truly a thing of beauty. Even if this show were not as fine as it is, I would recommend you see it, if only to see this spectacular setting.” -Alan R. Hall (CVNC.org)
“Jayme Mallema has created a magnificent set, which provides the walls for many locations, and yet has a unifying sense of repetition, with niches for laboratory apparatuses, chemicals, and a myriad of other scientific paraphernalia.” -Martha Keravuori & Check Galle (Triangle Arts and Entertainment)
By John Cariani
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
“Director Mia Self and her team went way outside the box, and have conceptualized something truly imaginative, yet staggeringly simple: an IKEA-style furniture showroom. Each vignette is staged in a different room: bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, living room, etc.
This stroke of theatrical genius is perfect in three ways: (1) it eliminates the need for blocky set changes; (2) it provides a cohesive structure to an otherwise random assortment of stories; and (3) it is extraordinary to look at. Many small touches and bits of business maintain the “showroom” concept throughout the production. The team shines light on some other norms of suburban romance: home-buying, designing a new life, the cookie-cutter nature with which relationships are often approached — written about — and American consumer culture.” -Dustin K. Britt (Triangle Arts and Entertainment)
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Matt Deitchman & Jed Feder
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Kyle Dougan
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
By Ira Levin
NC State University Theatre
TheatreFest 2018
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Adrienne McKenzie
Photos: Ron Foreman
“I have mentioned before that University Theatre, which sponsors TheatreFest, is famous for making sets that make you want to move in.” -Alan R. Hall (CVNC.org)
“And, just like a delicious meal ought to be served in an equally pleasing dish, designer Jayme Mellema’s set provides an opulent vessel for serving up this show.” -Pamela Vesper and Kurt Benrud (Triangle Arts and Entertainment.)
By N. Richard Nash
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting Design: Jennifer Sherrod
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
By Adam Pasen
NC State University Theatre
TheatreFest ‘17
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting & Projection Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Adrienne McKenzie
Photos: Ron Foreman
“As things stand, Pasen and Self give actor Katie Barrett some room to explore Zelda’s intriguingly manic, moody depths, bolstered by Adrienne McKenzie’s fetching period costumes and Jayme Mellema’s eye-popping literary set.”
Opera by Benjamin Britten
The Princeton Festival
Stage Direction: Steven LaCosse
Conductor: Richard Tang Yuk
Lighting Design: Norman Coates
Costume Design: Marie Miller
“An imaginative production of this opera… Mr. LaCosse’s production, with Jayme Mellema’s sets, Marie Miller’s costumes and Norman Coates’s lighting, demonstrated what can be achieved on a limited budget.” -Anthony Tommasini (The New York Times)
“…a staged portrait of the fantastic — wispy, and incongruous.” -Elaine Strauss (Princetoninfo.com)
Book by Mark O’Donnell & Thomas Meehan, Music by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman
NC State University
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Projection Design: Jayme Mellema
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
“Scenic designer and props master Jayme Mellema has constructed a new visual language for Hairspray, employing the comic strip-like pop art of Roy Lichtenstein alongside highly-detailed and spectacularly-lit signage.” -Dustin K. Britt (Chatham Life and Style)
By Noel Coward
NC State Univeristy Theatre
TheatreFest ‘17
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: John C. McIlwee
Photos: Ron Foreman, Jayme Mellema
“We’ve grown accustomed to superlative sets and costumes at the Titmus Theatre in Frank Thompson Hall, and this show definitely does not disappoint.” -Pamela Vesper and Kurt Benrud (Triangle Arts and Entertainment)
Book by Joseph Stein, Music by Jerry Bock, & Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
NC State University Theatre
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
By Laura Eason
Adapted from the novel by Jules Verne
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Rachel Klem & Jayme Mellema
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Puppetry & Projection Design: Jayme Mellema
Photos: Ron Foreman, Rachel Klem, Jayme Mellema
Book by Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse, Music by John Kander, & Lyrics by Fred Ebb
NC State University Theatre
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Em Rossi
Projection Design: Jayme Mellema
Photos: Ron Foreman, Aaron Bridgeman
A version of Sophocles’ Antigone
By Seamus Heaney
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Adrienne McKenzie
Photos: Ron Foreman, Jayme Mellema
By Stephanie S. Tolan & Katherine Paterson
Adapted from the novel by Stephanie S. Tolan
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Direction: Alan Poindexter
Lighting Design: David Fillmore
Costume Design: Courtney Burt Scott
Photos: Jayme Mellema, Tim Parati
World Premiere
Opera by Ned Rorem
A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Direction: Steven LaCosse
Lighting Design: Norman Coates
Costume Design: Ryan J. Moeller
Projection Design: Jayme Mellema
Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Music by Alan Menken
NC State University Theatre
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting & Projection Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: John C. McIlwee
Puppetry Design: Jayme Mellema
Photos: Ron Foreman, Jayme Mellema
By Wendy Wasserstein
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Allison Bergman
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Em Rossi
Projection Design: Jayme Mellema
Photos: Ron Foreman, Aaron Brigeman
By Anton Checkov
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Direction: Gerald Freedman
Lighting Design: Kimberlee Winters
Photos: Allen Aycock
Book by John Kane, Music by Harold Arlen & Herbert Stothart, & Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Direction: Alan Poindexter
Lighting Design: David Fillmore
Costume Design: Cortney Burt Scott
Photos: Jayme Mellema
Metrolina Theatre Association Award Winner for Outstanding Set Design for a Musical
By Tom Stoppard
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Allison Bergman
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: John C. McIlwee
Photos: Ron Foreman, Aaron Bridgeman
“N.C. State University Theatre's production of Arcadia, running at Titmus Theatre under the direction of Allison Bergman, features beautifully designed set and costumes,…” -Emma D. Miller (Indyweek.com)
Book, Music, and Lyrics by James McDonald, David Vos, & Robert Gerlach
NC State University Theatre
TheatreFest ‘16
Direction: Rachel Klem
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
By Mary Chase
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Mia Self
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
Music, Book, & Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
NC State University Theatre
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Adrienne McKenzie
Photos: Ron Foreman, Nicholas Purdy
By Garson Kanin
NC State University Theatre
TheatreFest ‘15
Direction: Rachel Klem
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
“The action takes place in a gorgeous marbled suite at a posh hotel in Washington, DC, a set designed by Jayme Mellema.” -Pamela Vesper and Kurt Benrud (Triangle Arts and Entertainment)
By Ken Ludwig
NC State University Theatre
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: John C. McIlwee
Photos: Ron Foreman
“It would not be hyperbolic to refer to set and costumes both as “a visual feast.” -Pamela Vesper and Kurt Benrud (Triangle Arts and Entertainment)
“It's another one of those gorgeous sets built by University Theatre, the kind that makes us want to move in and live there.” -Alan R. Hall (CVNC.org)
By Brian Friel
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Allison Bergman
Lighting Design: Paul Pharris
Costume Design: Jennifer Dasher
Photos: Nicholas Purdy, Ron Foreman, Paul Pharris
By Ron Clark & Sam Bobrick
NC State University Theatre
TheatreFest ‘13
Direction: Rachel Klem
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman
“The stellar set, creative costumes, and superb performances combine to create a show that’s wonderfully funny and surprisingly believable.” -Susie Potter (Triangle Arts and Entertainment)
By William Shakespeare
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Rachel Klem with Dana Marks
Lighting Design: Paul Pharris
Costume Design: Jennifer Dasher
Photos: Nicholas Purdy, Ron Foreman
“Mellema's vivid sets have enhanced a number of regional productions in recent years, including a post-apocalyptic London subway platform for Macbeth…” -Byron Woods (Indyweek.com)
By Cathrine Bush
Adapted from the novel by Clyde Edgerton
NC State University Theatre
TheatreFest ‘14
Direction: Rachel Klem
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Adrienne McKenzie
Photos: Aaron Bridgeman
By Jayme Mellema
Adapted from the novel by Lewis Caroll
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Jayme Mellema
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker, Em Rossi, John C. McIlwee, & Maggie Briggs
Projection Design: Lauren Caddick
Puppetry Design: Tori Ralston, Em Rossi, & Jayme Mellema
Photos: Ron Foreman, Aaron Bridgeman
By Mary Zimmerman
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Allison Bergman
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Laura J. Parker
Photos: Ron Foreman, Aaron Bridgeman
“The lighting design and the scenic design complemented each other and created a lavish Arabian palace that could also be transformed into the ten tales. Lighting designer Joshua Reaves and Scenic Designer Jayme Mellema created a rich atmosphere that was made complete by original live music composed by Naji Hilal.” -Julie-Kate Cooper (CVNC.org)
By Jacqueline Goldfinger
Adapted from the novel by Louisa May Alcott
NC State University Theatre
Direction: Allison Bergman
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: Jennifer Dasher
Photos: Ron Foreman, Nicholas Purdy
“The show is set on a spectacular scrim-lined stage, which portrays the parlor of the March household. The setting comes in two parts: the actual set pieces of the living room, and a beautifully-crafted scrim on which is painted some of the most beautiful backdrops ever seen in a university theater… While it is unusual for me to gush over sets, this particular scrim device is a true marvel, and one of the best aspects of a truly well-honed production.” -Alan R. Hall (CVNC.org)
“In Jayme Mellema's ingenious stage design, the family parlor of the March's house is set in a house-size cutout section of a stage-wide screen.” -Byron Woods (Indyweek.com)
By William Shakespeare
NC State University Theatre
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: David Jones
Costume Design: Jennifer Dasher
Projection Design: Jayme Mellema
Photos: Ron Foreman, Nicholas Purdy
By Ken Ludwig
NC State University Theatre
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: Joshua Reaves
Costume Design: John C. McIlwee
Photos: Ron Foreman, Aaron Bridgeman
Book by James Lapine, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
NC State University Theatre
Direction: John C. McIlwee
Lighting Design: Paul Pharris
Costume Design: John C. McIlwee
Photos: Ron Foreman, Nicholas Purdy
By Bessie Breuer
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Direction: Matt Bullock
Lighting Design: Nick Kunstle
Costume Design: Allison Pokladawski
Photos: Allen Aycock
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Book by Hugh Wheeler, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Duke University
Direction: John M. Clum
Lighting Design: Douglas Martelon
Costume Design: Chris Mueller
Projection Design: Jayme Mellema
Adapted by Jerome Robbins
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Direction: Alan Poindexter
Lighting Design: David Fillmore
Costume Design: Bob Croghan
Metrolina Theatre Association Awards Nominee for Outstanding Set Design for a Musical
By Deborah Brevoort
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Direction: Kaia Calhoun
Photos: Allen Aycock
