Creating Culinary Magic on Stage: How to Set the Perfect Scene with Food

Mad Horse Theatre is gearing up for its production of “Women Laughing Alone with Salad,” which opens in March. The props designer, Adam Corriveau, faces a unique challenge: the script requires “an astronomical amount of lettuce,” totaling three tons! While this is clearly impractical for just 16 performances, he’s getting creative. Corriveau is exploring craft stores like Joann Fabrics to create realistic-looking fake lettuce using materials like garbage bags and plastic sheeting. He jokes, “The magic of theater means we don’t need to have three tons of real lettuce, but it will still be a lot.”

Food props can be tricky for different reasons. Real food can spoil and needs constant replacing. Plus, if actors have allergies or dietary restrictions, this can complicate things even more. They often have to eat the same food night after night as part of the show, so it must be easy to manage. If the food is fake, it has to look real enough to trick the audience’s eye. For instance, in the previous production “The Cake,” fake icing was created using joint compound, and congratulations to the audience—please don’t lick the spoon!

Theater productions often feature kitchens, diners, or bakeries. Shows like “Clyde’s,” “The Cake,” and the upcoming “Madeleines” explore human experiences revolving around food. These settings allow directors to create relatable stories about family and community. Portland Stage, known for its focus on these themes, has seen success with plays like “Waitress,” which centers around a pie-baking waitress and touches on difficult subject matter.

Playwright Bess Welden explains that food in theater plays a vital role. By showcasing characters engaged in specific food-related activities, such as baking or cooking, the audience learns more about them. It’s more than just telling a story; it’s about showing character depth through action. Her new play “Madeleines” takes place in two kitchens, linking past and present through baking, while touching on family life and connections.

Local theaters also try to create community connections. For instance, during the run of “Madeleines,” Portland Stage plans to sell madeleines baked by a local artisan. Previous productions have also featured items from local bakeries, contributing to a sense of community engagement. In “Waitress,” they even baked pies in the lobby to create an inviting atmosphere for theatergoers.

For plays that require actors to convincingly portray bakers or cooks, real-life research is essential. The cast of “Clyde’s” observed professionals in a real kitchen to learn how to handle tools and make food properly. They often deal with a mix of real and fake food, as seen in “The Cake,” where actors had a single real slice of cake amidst fake ones. It adds a layer of complexity and realism to their performances.

After the show’s run, props that were lovingly crafted like fake cakes or lettuce often find new homes—sometimes even ending up for sale online. As Corriveau humorously pointed out, “Don’t be surprised if you see fake lettuce for sale on Facebook Marketplace!”

Mad Horse Theatre is set to open “Women Laughing Alone with Salad” this March, which will be followed by Portland Stage’s “Madeleines.” Both productions promise unique storytelling wrapped around the theme of food, exploring its connections to family, memory, and identity.