COVENANT

Illusions Consultant

By York Walker

Directed by Autumn Angeletti

Theatre Alliance, 2024

Southern Gothic meets the blues in York Walker’s thrilling Covenant. A legendary guitarist returns to his small-town roots, igniting rumors of a dark bargain. As secrets unravel, it’s clear that the devil might not be the only one playing a dangerous game. Theater Alliance presents the first production of Covenant following its sold-out Off-Broadway run in 2023, and you won't want to miss this bluesy, spine-chilling exploration of faith, fear, and the power of myth.

Ryan received his first Helen Hayes Award Nomination for his excellent work as the Illusions Consultant for this horror thriller play. He was lucky to be involved with the production design from the beginning to craft these magical moments. It was a rewarding challenge to design these illusions in an entirely new theatre space for Theatre Alliance. The script called for several paranormal activity style effects- a basin of crystal clear water visibly transformed into a bath of blood, doors opened and closed on their own, crosses ominously turned upside down, a tin cup flying across the stage to crash into the wall, an exorcism climaxing with an actor vanishing and a levitating, spinning dining chair. Pyro effects were also created- lit matches appeared at actors fingertips. Ryan also created a chemical reaction to allow a burning envelope to dissolve and a magical mysterious letter “R” to be revealed in the ashes.

“Embellishing the show even further, and delivering its most satisfying horror elements, are Ryan Phillips’ stage illusions. Ingeniously practical and flawlessly executed, his illusions manifested nightmares before my very eyes.”

- The Unprofessional Opinion

“The creative team has created the perfect complement to this frightening story. The design team amps up the supernatural with illusions that stupefy such as blackouts and spinning furniture and sounds that throb such as lightning strikes.”

- DC Theatre Guide

"Covenant is an excellent thrill ride to embark on this Halloween season by merit of its book alone — but add in a top-class ensemble and bone-chilling direction, and you get a creatively terrifying experience.”

-Morris Theatre DC