Interdisciplinary collaboration is the lifeblood of innovation, breathing new energy into creative and academic communities. This spirit thrives at the Boise State School of the Arts through a special partnership between the Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing and the Department of Art, Design and Visual Studies in creating original, unique artwork for each theatre season production. The collaboration, led by art instructor Erin Cunningham and Darrin Pufall Purdy, Director of Theatre and Costume Design, showcases how visual and performing arts can merge to create and support transformative storytelling experiences.
Now in its third year, this initiative culminates in the 2024-25 theatre season titled “Moonstruck,” which celebrates humanity’s fascination with the cosmos through the plays “Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe,” “They Promised Her the Moon” and “The Little Prince.” Cunningham’s contribution—an evocative series of posters—is more than promotional material. These visual interpretations of production themes and narratives are true works of art.
The Artistic Process
Cunningham’s creative drawing approach to creating this season’s artwork was as unique as the partnership itself. Working primarily with ink and watercolor, she sought to achieve a sense of transparency and ethereality to align with the moonlit and dreamlike qualities of this year’s productions. To achieve this goal, Cunningham began with colored paper misted with bleach, which created random patterns. These marks served as a foundation, guiding her choices as she integrated planned imagery inspired by the plays. The blend of intentional design and organic spontaneity imbues the posters with depth and a touch of unpredictability, reflecting the nature of the theatrical narratives they represent.
Once Cunningham conceptualized the designs using photographic source imagery composites, each illustration took about a week to complete, allowing for breaks and experimentation. Then, over a month, Cunningham transformed her ideas into finished pieces, each an intricate response to the themes and aesthetics of the productions.
A Shared Vision
The collaboration between departments goes beyond aesthetics. “I have adored working with the theatre department for the past three seasons and hope to work with them again in the future,” Cunningham says. “It is so rewarding to get access to the plays and to share my response or vision of them through these illustrations and to see how closely they mirror the interpretations of the theatrical design and costuming areas. Making these pictures allows for me to explore subjects that I might not otherwise work with on my own. I have a love of historical poster design and the poster in illustration, and I feel like Darrin and the rest of the theatre department have enabled me to indulge in this love.”
For the theatre department, this partnership enhances the ability to engage audiences and spark conversation around each season’s unifying themes. “The Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing is thrilled to collaborate once again with artist Erin Cunningham on the design of our season posters. Erin’s unique aesthetic and creative vision bring an engaging visual identity to each production, helping us capture the essence of each story and theme we bring to our stage,” says Darrin Pufall Purdy, Director of Theatre and Costume Design. “Her artistry not only reflects the vibrancy of our shows but also enhances our department’s mission to bring innovative storytelling to life. Erin’s designs are a testament to the power of collaboration between visual and performing arts.”
Fostering Creativity and Supporting Students
By merging visual art and theatre, this interdisciplinary project demonstrates each department’s commitment to fostering creative innovation. Each poster celebrates collaboration and is a tool for advancing student success, with proceeds from limited-edition prints and postcards benefiting the Boise State Theatre Scholarship Fund. Current and past season artwork is available to purchase online and at each theatre production performance.
This partnership exemplifies how interdisciplinary work enriches the artistic process and audience engagement, leaving a lasting impression on Boise State’s creative and academic communities. Through “Moonstruck” and its accompanying visual artistry, Boise State invites audiences to explore the infinite possibilities of storytelling across mediums.
This creative, interdisciplinary partnership celebrates the art of collaboration with the creation of original production season artwork.