Design Matters with Debbie Millman 20th Anniversary celebration with theatre designers David Korins, Ina Mayhew, David Rockwell, Es Devlin, and Dane Laffrey
Dec 8, 2025
For a special anniversary, Debbie Millman chats with renowned theatre designers. David Korins shares insights on designing 'Hamilton,' including innovative turntables and meticulous set details. Ina Mayhew reflects on her journey from hair and makeup to film, highlighting trust-building with directors like Spike Lee. David Rockwell discusses the evolution of theatre and his pandemic outdoor dining kits. Es Devlin reveals her 'Betrayal' design inspired by art, while Dane Laffrey talks about blending technology with storytelling in his scenic designs.
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Obsessive Pitch Won Hamilton
- David Korins tells how he obsessively prepared to get the Hamilton job and quoted the show in his pitch to Thomas Kail.
- He proposed stage turntables and mapped ten moments where they'd serve the story, which convinced the team to try them.
Micro Choices Shape Big Emotion
- Korins explains small visual choices matter as much as big ones, citing 33 brick shades to get the right mood.
- He matched costume palettes to the brick to carve actors visually against the wall.
Invisible Set Changes Convey Time
- Korins added an eight-foot wall during intermission to silently show the nation's progress.
- He accepted that audiences rarely notice consciously but feel the change on return.