An unexpected adventure in set design, a little theatrical magic, and a whole lot of heart!
If there's one thing I've learned about myself, it's that I love stepping outside my comfort zone, especially when it involves creativity, meeting new people, and giving back to the community!
Recently, I had the opportunity to venture into a completely new world of design: theater set design! I joined forces with the Networking Drama Club to help bring Cinderella and the Candy Kingdom to life, and what an adventure it turned out to be!
A Little Budget, A Lot of Imagination
The challenge? Create an enchanting theatrical experience on a small budget while being as resourceful and creative as possible.
As an interior designer, I'm used to transforming spaces, but designing for the stage was an entirely different experience. We needed to create multiple magical settings, including:
Rock Candy Mountain: A whimsical, candy-inspired landscape full of imagination.
Cinderella's Kitchen: A charming setting that brought the story's humble beginnings to life.
The Ballroom: An elegant, magical space fit for a fairy tale.
The Throne Room: A royal setting worthy of a king and queen.
With a limited budget, we had to think outside the box, repurpose what we could, and make every detail count.
And let me tell you, we absolutely blew it out of the water!
It Takes a Village to Create a Little Magic
One of the most rewarding parts of this experience was seeing everyone come together to make the vision a reality.
I am incredibly grateful to my friends, family, and all the wonderful volunteers who generously gave their time, energy, and talents.
From hanging chandeliers and moving furniture back and forth (and back again!) to assembling the piping and hanging the curtains, there was so much behind-the-scenes work that went into bringing these sets to life.
And I have to give a BIG shout-out to Eric James Niclas, aka The Title Titan, and John at Okerblom Law in Islandia, NY, for helping us with the space and always being willing to lend a hand with anything we needed!
Their kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness truly meant so much. It's people like them who remind me how special our Long Island business community really is. They didn't hesitate to step in, offer support, and help bring our vision to life.
I'm so grateful to have been surrounded by such genuinely kind and supportive people throughout this experience. It's amazing what we can accomplish when we come together!
It wasn't always glamorous, but it was filled with laughter, teamwork, dedication, and a shared desire to create something special.
Seeing everything come together on stage was such a proud moment. It reminded me that beautiful things don't always require an extravagant budget. Sometimes, all you need is creativity, resourcefulness, and a group of people willing to make magic happen.
Plot Twist: Apparently, I Can Act Too!
Now, here's the part I definitely wasn't expecting...
Not only did I get to explore set design, but I also discovered that I might actually be a pretty good actress! Haha!
After two successful nights of performances, I had complete strangers coming up to compliment my acting skills.
Who knew?!
I guess we can officially add another hobby (and maybe a hidden talent!) to my ever-growing book of adventures.
Interior designer, real estate professional, set designer, and now actress? At this point, I'm just collecting experiences, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Networking With a Purpose
What made this experience even more meaningful was the opportunity to connect with incredible people in our community.
I met individuals I hadn't crossed paths with before, learned about their businesses, heard their stories, and built new relationships.
As a business owner, I truly believe that some of the most meaningful connections happen when we step outside our usual routines and simply show up.
The Networking Drama Club brought together people from different backgrounds and industries, all working toward something bigger than themselves.
And that's what made this experience so special.
Giving Back Through Creativity
Beyond the beautiful sets, the laughter, and the performances, this production had an even greater purpose: supporting local charities.
The Networking Drama Club uses its theatrical productions, raffles, and auctions to help support meaningful causes in our community, including:
The Michael Magro Foundation — An organization dedicated to supporting families facing pediatric cancer and other serious childhood illnesses.
Jacie's Kids of Long Island — A local organization supporting children and families in need.
The club also collaborates with The Bernice Magalnick Theatre Company, helping bring original theatrical works to life while supporting emerging talent.
Being part of something that combines creativity, community, and charitable giving is incredibly fulfilling.
A very special thank-you to Frank Sanchez for bringing this incredible experience together and creating opportunities for local professionals to connect, collaborate, and make a difference.
Your dedication to our community does not go unnoticed!
What's Next? Hollywood, Maybe?
This entire experience reminded me why I love being a designer.
Whether I'm transforming a house into a home, creating a sanctuary for a client, or turning an ordinary stage into a magical candy kingdom, the heart of what I do remains the same:
I love creating spaces that make people feel something.
And now that I've had my first taste of set design, I have my sights set on the next adventure...
Movie set design!
Fingers crossed! You never know where creativity, a little courage, and saying YES to new opportunities might take you.
Thank you again to everyone who made these two wonderful nights possible. I'm forever grateful for the memories, friendships, laughter, and the opportunity to be part of something so special.
Until the next adventure...
XOXO,
Madison Chic
Madison Chic Homes
Serene Designs. Chic Spaces.
