Anna in the Tropics

For Anna in the Tropics, my design sought to evoke the rich atmosphere of a 1929 Tampa cigar factory—both its physical grit and the emotional heat simmering beneath the surface. The space is layered with the residue of time: aged furniture, dust softened by years of rolling tobacco, and props imbued with the amber patina of sweat, smoke, and labor. The air feels thick with humidity, love, and longing—drawing the audience into a tactile world shaped by devotion, routine, and barely contained passion.

Each element—worn-down surfaces, faded signage, sweat-stained fabrics—tells a story not only of work, but of the people bound together in this sweltering, intimate space. While the environment celebrates the warmth, laughter, and romantic idealism sparked by the lector’s voice, it also holds space for the shadows: the betrayals, the violence, and the emotional unrest smoldering just beneath the surface. In this design, the factory itself becomes a character—a living, breathing container for dreams, regrets, and the inescapable pull of change.