Unit 6
Identify your progression route:
I have chosen to go forward into a theatre design degree, including both costume and set design, and I am currently deciding between AUB, Wimbledon, Central school of speech and drama, and Rose Bruford college, which all look like they have incredible courses. At the moment, I think that I am going to stay at AUB, because I have loved the foundation, and I like the atmosphere here and I have looked at the costume and performance degree in detail, and it looks like something I’d really enjoy. I am trying to keep and open mind going into interviews however, and still applying for my other choices.
Why did you choose it?
I chose to do follow a theatre design route because it combines everything I am passionate about; design, art, theatre, storytelling and music. Theatre is something which I have always loved, and I really can’t wait to be part of creating it. I have chosen to do both set and costume instead of just costume, because I really love the idea of creating a whole world in theatre, and because after talking to lots of people who are already in the theatre industry, I have realized that I am far more likely to get hired as a designer if I do both set and costume together.
What other Options did you consider?
I actually have been set on doing theatre design for a while, about 4 years so I didn’t really consider any other options in terms of courses, except for briefly considering if it would be better to do either set or costume in isolation and then doing an MA in the other, but I decided against that after talking to various professionals. The main decision that I have been trying to figure out is where to go, because I have been torn between loving Bournemouth and the course, but also wanting to go and live in London.
Give Examples of how you have presented yourself and your work to others:
I have created a portfolio to take to my interviews, which are on the 9th, 13th and 16th of February. I have also presented myself in my Personal statement (Below). I present a lot of my work on my AUB blog, but I also have my own website as well, and a facebook page for my costumes which I post on a lot to try and build up an online presence as a designer.
Personal Statement for UCAS
Design for theatre is something which unifies all of my passions as it is the result of combining fine art, theatre, design and storytelling. I see the script as a blank canvas which has the potential to become whatever I want it to be. For me, the costumes are the path through which the actors connect to the audience; they are the first visual impact when an actor walks on stage. I have had an adoration and appreciation for theatre for as long as I can remember; I can’t think of anything more exciting or special than being given the freedom to be an individual on stage, which I why I have chosen to pursue a career in theatre design.
During my foundation course, I have been given the opportunity to experiment with a variety of techniques and processes, in the form of Art, Design and Media. I have discovered that I work best as a designer, but with a strong influence from art, which is what I believe theatre design to be, as you are working to a design brief, yet you create a piece of art in the form of a theatre production. Currently, I am working on a project entitled ‘eclectic’ which is centred around Brighton. I am focusing on the regency period, and am designing costumes for a theatre version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, taking inspiration from director Baz Lurhmann and using modern influences intermingled with historical accuracy. I took an eclectic mix of primary and secondary research from Brighton, including drawing the interior and exterior of the Pavilion, visiting the Brighton museum and art gallery, and photographing street art and textures from around the city.
Prior to my foundation, I studied both Art and Product design at A-level which together gave me a combination of creative flair and the technical ability and knowledge of design to realise my ideas. During my final A-level year, I also completed an extended project entitled; ‘Set Design for a Contemporary Ballet of ‘Romeo and Juliet’, which allowed me to further explore theatre design, as did the set and costume design course at Wimbledon College of Art, which I attended recently. I came up with designs concepts which were developed into a maquette as well as collaborating on ideas reacting to the set briefs.
I have been lucky enough to work with George Thomson, the technical director of the Scottish Ballet, and get an inside view of the design work that goes into making a production happen. Working alongside their costume department, I loved experiencing different aspects of theatre design; ballet, opera, companies on tour, and large international events. I gained a huge amount of experience, and came away inspired.
I am very self motivated; during my A-levels I designed and made all of the costumes for productions of Dafydd James’ ‘Heritage’ and Timberlake Wertenbaker’s ‘Ashgirl’, as well as a range of individual costumes for various dance and theatre productions, competitions and festivals. Aside from the experience, I have also gained good communication and organisation skills from these projects, and I have proven that I am not afraid of a challenge. I am willing to push myself, which has allowed me to build up my own small costume design business. Currently, I am working on designs for a production of Agatha Christie’s ‘And then there were none’, which has given me the opportunity to research the play and characters in depth, and portray my own ideas about them through my designs. The play is in February, and I am excited to see my ideas on stage.
I am very driven, I work hard in the face of challenges, and I am passionate about theatre, which I think are all important qualities to have, in order to do well on this course. I hope to leave with a strong skill set and personal style, which will prepare me for the creative industry beyond university, which I have an overwhelming desire to be part of. Some shows are archetypal for the costumes and the set. Julie Taymore’s visual design for Lion King is arguably the reason why the production is so popular. Yes, the storyline is important, but it is the design that creates the impact that stays with the viewer, and makes the memory. In the future, I want to be the designer who is responsible for creating memories such as this.
