City Lights Theater Company's video: The Next Stage: Cooking up props with Miranda Christina

From the hilariously icky, cheesy “Fantasia dip” in "Making God Laugh" to the creepy glass bottles in Dr, Jekyll’s laboratory, props designers Miranda Whipple and Christina Sturken are whizzes at creating the perfect items that help bring a scene to life. On Sept. 4, 2020, they hosted a props “cooking show” where the two whipped up faux-food & drink items from their homes. (Scroll down for an ingredients list so you can try this at home!) Music by George Psarras from "Build" (2015), and learn more about our series The Next Stage at cltc.org/thenextstage. Miranda has been a props designer and stage manager in the Bay Area for four years. You’ve seen her creations at not only City Lights but South Bay Music Theatre, Los Altos Stage Company, Silicon Valley Shakespeare, and Dragon Productions Theatre Company. Miranda was recently named a Theatre Bay Area finalist for Outstanding Properties Design for her work on "Mothers and Sons" (2019) at City Lights. Christina’s credits include not only properties designer but producer and associate producer at Mountview Catalyst Festival and Iris Theatre in London, and co-stage manager at Silicon Valley Shakespeare. Here at City Lights, she’s designed props for shows including "Eurydice" (2019) and "Ideation" (2017). She’s also worked as assistant company manager at the American Conservatory Theater. And here are the ingredients from the faux-meal! Spaghetti & Meatballs 1. Off-white/ivory yarn. Acrylic is best since it has a slight sheen. 2. Foam balls (3) 3. Red paint (Christina uses "Holiday Red") 4. Brown paint (Christina uses "Medium Brown") 5. A plate (paper is fine) Tools needed: paintbrush, spare plate for paint mixing, hot-glue gun & hot glue, scissors Glass of Port 1. A port glass (don't worry; it won't get ruined) 2. Deep-red lighting gel (Christina uses GamColor 250: Medium Red) 3. Gorilla Super Glue Gel Cake 1. Styrofoam round 10” cake form 2. Lightweight spackle 3. Acrylic paint (any color) 4. Paintbrushes Margarita 1. Plastic margarita glass 2. ClearCast resin 3. Mini drink umbrellas 4. Special epoxy dye (blue and green) All supplies can typically be bought at Michaels or other craft stores. Enjoy!