Dejection In Teagan Mcleod's Girls In Cars Underwater

In this full play performance of Teagan McLeod’s Girls in Cars Underwater, the UT Department of Theatre presented a modern story that represented new theatre. The play is a tragedy with a few elements of comedy as it revolves around the new comer Dusty and her struggles adapting to her new environment. The production team was able to convey a sense of dejection through both costume and scenic design, as multiple characters endure a journey of love and loss, learning that they both have the power to ruin and enlighten lives.

The costuming created this theme of dejection through the five main character’s costumes. Their outfits were all black, short cut, and showed plenty of skin. The somewhat inappropriate clothing symbolized of the disrespect women receive when their line of work consists of being at a shot bar. Through out the play, multiple characters voice how they are treated by the men that they serve and how they are expected to act when on the clock. These dull and degrading costumes were used for the entire performance, and though there were some comedic moments, a majority of the context portrayed hardships endured by Shelly,

For the most part, the set remained static—however it did not negatively affect the play. The table was really the only set prop and it symbolized desperation at many points in the play. Anne and Dusty sniffed cocaine on this table, and Dusty almost killed Jamie on this table; both of these instances represent a turning point in character and a low point for Dusty. The rest of the gloomy setup could be representative of the hopelessness that all five main characters had for their future, as this is where the characters work, and where some live. If it were not for this choice of design, the audience would not be able to appreciate the true difference between love and loss or life enlightenment and life