The scenic design for Tom Yorkey’s musical Next to Normal (2008) was informed by the protagonist’s battle with grief and ultimately psychosis. The walls of the set are exposed and blank, adorned only with empty picture frames, reflecting the void in Diana and Dan’s home life. The set is entirely whitewashed as a nod to the amnesia the main character suffers throughout the show and to provide a blank canvas for the lighting design of the musical to communicate mood.

Several of the mounted picture frames disguise cabinets used to store props for easy access. The set features several integrated lighting features including a hanging fixture, window lights, and hidden LED tape under the floorboards.