K Lartz
Theatre Artist & Educator
Scene Designs by K Lartz
I am an incredibly detail-oriented designer who approaches problem-solving with an open mind and a myriad of flexible ideas. With my background in technical direction, I have developed a deep appreciation for the creative process through close collaboration with designers and production teams. In my work, I balance artistic vision with practical execution. This blend of technical insight and artistic sensibility empowers me to push creative boundaries to create the most successful productions possible.
Urinetown: The Musical
Music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis, book by Kotis
Directed by Jeff Turner at Hamline University
Music Director: Emily Villano
Choreographer: Megan Helmers
Scene Design: K Lartz
Costume Design: Eleanor Schanilec
Lighting Design: Kurt Jung
Sound Design: Morgan Bambauch
Technical Director & Production Manager: K Lartz
Photos by Molly Jay
A dark take on this satirical musical. The multi-scene setting, projections, and ten-foot unsupported span made this both a both a technical direction challenge and a design challenge. The end product was a solid, sturdy set that lent itself to multiple locations and supported the fast-paced transitions of the show while maintaining a cohesive visual aesthetic. The design balanced functionality, durability, and atmosphere to create a world that was both visually striking and practical for the demands of the production.
FAB-U-LAND
Directed and written by Jay Owen Eisenberg with the student acting company at Hamline University
Scene Design: K Lartz
Asst. Scene Design: Abi Grace Mart
Costume Design: Eleanor Schanilec
Lighting Design: Kurt Jung
Technical Director & Production Manager: K Lartz
Photos: Molly Jay
A devised play exploring family, queerness, and a deceased grandfather who falls in love with a demon living in the basement. Created with the goal of presenting scene shop students with a complex and creatively ambitious design challenge, the production embraced a whimsical, highly detailed visual world. The set featured moving elements of a miniature theme park, an intricate hand-crafted mural, and a collection of playful scenic details that brought the story’s unusual universe to life.
Everybody
by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Laura Dougherty at Hamline University
Scene & Lighting Design: K Lartz
Costume Design: Sydney Moore
Sound Design: Quin Farrington
Photos by Molly Jay
A minimalist approach to scenery and lighting design allowed the production to focus on the play’s central themes of life, death, and the human experience. The sparse scenic environment provided a flexible playing space that shifted with the story, while the lighting established mood and guided the audience through the play’s surreal, shifting world. Together, the designs created a visual language that was intentionally simple yet atmospheric.
romeo & juliet
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Laura Dougherty at Hamline University
Scene Design: K Lartz
Costume Design: Eleanor Schanilec
Lighting Design: Steven Read
Photos by Molly Jay
Romeo and Juliet were traipsing through rose petals in this take on Shakespeare’s classic love story. The design leaned into the story's romance and tragedy through expressive scenic elements and a dreamy visual landscape. The scenery reflected the passion, chaos, and heartbreak at the story's center.
Harvey
by Mary Chase
Directed by Robert Quinlan at Illinois State University
Scene Design: K Lartz
Costume Design: Janelle Lynn Smith
Lighting Design: Nick Chamernik
Photos: Pete Guither
A large-scale scenic design featuring an enormous turntable and an elegant, sprawling set. The design created a richly detailed world that shifted seamlessly between locations, using the scale and movement of the scenery to bring the story to life while maintaining the charm and sophistication of the play.
Escape to Margaritaville
by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley
Based on the music of Jimmy Buffett
Directed by Lydia Wagner at GREAT Theatre at The Ledge Amphitheater
Scene Design: K Lartz
Costume Design: Edith G. Moreno
Lighting Design: Grant E. Marges
Video Design: Brad Peterson
Photos: Brady Hughes
A large-scale musical staged at The Ledge Amphitheatre in St. Cloud, Minnesota. This production featured a live band, video screens, and moving scenery, creating an energetic concert-style theatrical experience. The design was inspired by the bright colors and laid-back tropical aesthetic of the Jimmy Buffett universe, incorporating bold color, playful visual elements, and a vibrant scenic environment that complemented the music and expansive outdoor venue.
All's Well That Ends Well & Oedipus
Presented in Rotating Repertory
All's Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare
Directed by Enrico Spada at Illinois State University
Scene Design: K Lartz
Costume Design: Megan Wood
Lighting Design: Erica Lauren Maholmes
Oedipus by Ellen McLaughlin
Directed by Kristin L. Schoenback at Illinois State University
Scene Design: K Lartz
Costume Design: Nicole R. Kippen
Lighting Design: Erica Lauren Maholmes
Photos: K Lartz
A rotating repertory design featuring two very different plays that shared the same stage with just 30 minutes for changeover. The challenge was creating two distinct visual worlds that could transform quickly and efficiently between performances without sacrificing either production's identity. A combination of clever scenic elements, practical transitions, and thoughtful design choices made it possible to bring both shows to life in the same space. The design was awarded second place in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Design Competition.
Disney's Descendants
by Nick Belamire and Madeline Smith
Directed by Jeff Anderson at GREAT Theatre, St. Cloud, MN
Scene Design: K Lartz
Costume Design: Jessica Mancini
Lighting Design: Grant E. Merges
A dynamic scene design featuring large rotating platforms that seamlessly transitioned between the contrasting worlds of Auradon and the Isle of the Lost. The rotating elements created a flexible environment that allowed for quick scene changes while emphasizing the distinct colors and aesthetics of each setting. The design balanced bold visual storytelling with practical functionality to support the energy and movement of this high-energy musical.
