A multi-level stage, complete with curving twin staircases. Multiple sets designed to pivot to quickly transport audience members into different scenes.

The Iberia Performing Arts League has been getting more creative and more extravagant with its set designs, but for volunteers, it’s all in a days work.

Jacob Borel, 31, a Loreauville native, has been helping IPAL with its sets since Chicago. It was his idea to have a double staircase instead of a single set down the middle.

“We would have done something boring and simple,” Katherine Caffery said. Caffery is the IPAL board president and was director for “Chicago.”

Caffery said although Borel was undaunted by the advanced stage concepts, it was intimidating for IPAL veterans like herself.

Borel said he’s been doing woodwork since he was 12 so building sets has been comparatively easy. The only challenges, he said, are making sure the set accommodates the actors and letting go of his perfectionist nature.

“As long as it looks good from the audience, it’s OK,” he said.

Borel also helped design and execute the set for “Noises Off,” which rotated 360 degrees. Volunteer Keith Burgess helped finish and install the pivot mechanism for the stage after Borel moved.

Borel is now attending the University of Oklahoma, majoring in architecture. Still, he’s been working on designs for IPAL’s production of “Spamalot.” On a visit home, Borel reviewed the plans with Caffery, who also will direct the upcoming Monty Python classic.

“We miss him very much,” Caffery said. “(But) he’s only a phone call away.”

Helping from afar also has helped Borel who said the design work gives him practice with computer programs he’s learning as part of his course work.

For the actual set buildout, however, Caffery will have to put together a team to execute Borel’s design.

The team likely will include Mike Berry, who Caffery said has been a carpenter for IPAL for more than 10 years. Berry was out of town this week.

Teresa Landry, 48, also has been an integral part of the IPAL set team as a painter.

Originally from Texarkana, Ark., Landry moved to New Iberia 23 years ago.

She said this is the third Christmas she’s been with IPAL. Landry was in “A Carol for Tiny Tim,” she said, when there was a need for someone to paint a mural across the 40-foot back wall.

“I had just started painting that March,” she said. “They just put their faith in me and gave me a shot.”

Landry said since then, she’s worked on at least 10 different sets for IPAL, but also has starting helping New Iberia Senior High with sets for its productions.

“It’s been a door opener for me,” she said.

Landry said she’s been able to develop her skills and learn new techniques and styles.

“Of course, on my first one the perspective was off, but I’ve learned with each project, each set,” she said. “It’s very rewarding.”

She said when she steps back and the whole set comes together, it’s an “aha” moment. She said that’s how she felt when she finally stepped back from the set of “Lilies of the Field.”

“It’s a good feeling,” she said, “a very good feeling.”

How the big mural pieces are done varies, she said, depending on the director. Sometimes she said she’ll have to research or try to find examples of previous sets; other times directors know exactly what they want. But how Landry works never changes.

“I have to work alone,” she said. “I get nervous when there are a lot of people around. That means I’ll sometimes work 12-hour days to be alone in the theater. I get lost in it.”

Caffery said Sheila Manes and Sharon Cross have also been assets in painting the set.

“It’s really a team effort,” Borel emphasized.