Dramaturg's statement

From a dramaturg's prospective, a production of 'The Shape of Things' begins with understanding the setting. It is set in modern times in a small midwestern town at a liberal arts college. Once all of these facts are taken into consideration it is time to begin the real work. How do we visually show the audience where we are at? The location should not be a busy town with lots of attractions, but rather a quiet and reserved town that is set in its ways without the intent of changing with the times. Flat land, few trees, and an over all sense of an isolation should be set into the production.