Scenography - The Theatre Design Website

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The Online Society of Theatre Designers and Scenographers,
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Leciestershire,
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Post of Trainee Designer

Theatre by the Lake has always made a commitment to training and development, particularly of theatre workers at an early stage in their careers. The repertoire season, which forms the core of our home-produced work, means that we are particularly well placed to offer training and development for creative staff. We bring an acting company together for 7 months of the year thus offering staff the opportunity to be involved with the creation of six varied productions during the summer months. In addition, this programme provides the trainee with the opportunity to both assist our Resident Designer, Martin Johns, and then progress to take on full design responsibility towards the end of the scheme. These factors, we believe, make us uniquely placed to offer a very valuable and successful training experience - previous trainees have maintained constant employment in the theatre industry and have also returned to work with us on a professional basis.

Post Details & Further Particulars

We are looking for a self-motivated, enthusiastic and hard-working individual who has completed formal Theatre Design training to degree level (or equivalent standard) within the last two years. Ideally, the trainee will have realised both set and costume designs in a theatrical context and have a working knowledge of the processes involved.

Applications

To request an application pack, please contact Ali Wylie on 017687 72282 or email ali.wylie@theatrebythelake.com or for further information about the post contact Sophie Curtis on 017687 81108. Please note that applications should include a completed standard Theatre by the Lake application form together with visual images of two contrasting set designs and two contrasting costume designs on which the applicant has worked. The closing date for applications is Friday 15 August.

Interviews

Interviews will take place on Friday 29 August, and will be conducted by Martin Johns (Resident Designer), Ian Forrest (Artistic Director), Stefan Escreet (Associate Director) and Karen Ann Billington (Technical & Production Manager). Candidates will also be given a tour of the building and have an opportunity to find out more about how Theatre by the Lake’s Summer Repertoire Season works.

Starting Date & Proposed Schedule of Work

The post will begin on Monday 27 October running through until Saturday 25 July 2009. Throughout the scheme, Martin Johns, Resident Designer, will act as Mentor to the trainee.
The suggested programme of work will be as follows:
OCT / NOV 2008:
Upon arrival, the Trainee will have the opportunity to see the full Summer repertoire up-and-running as we reach the end of our 2008 season.
Work as Design Assistant to Martin Johns on A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Theatre by the Lake’s Christmas 2008 Main House production) and work alongside our Trainee Director, Anthony Middleton, on the design aspects of A TOUCH OF MAGIC (a late-night show of magic and readings in Theatre by the Lake’s Studio).

DEC 2008 / JAN 2009:
Initial design discussions with the Directors of the three 2009 Summer Season Studio productions.
Attendance at production and design meetings for Melvyn Bragg’s THE MAID OF BUTTERMERE, adapted by Lisa Evans (Theatre by the Lake’s Easter 2009 Main House production).

FEB / MAR 2009:
Work as Design Assistant to Martin Johns on THE MAID OF BUTTERMERE.
Continue work on Summer Season 2009 Studio designs.

APR – JUL 2009:
Rehearsal/production period for 2009 Summer Repertoire Season. Work as Designer for the three Studio productions plus additional ‘hands on’ input working together with Martin in support of all six Summer Season productions.
NB. Titles of the six Summer Season productions will be announced in late October 2008.

Salary

The salary is £1250 per month.

Criteria

The Trainee will be required to base themselves in Keswick or the surrounding area for the duration of the post (Theatre by the Lake has a digs list with details of available accommodation in Keswick and the immediate vicinity). Please bear in mind that Keswick is not a place for city-lovers – it is a small rural town in the heart of the Lake District and not the most accessible of locations by train or coach.

As mentioned above, we are ideally looking for someone who has recently completed a Theatre Design course (within the last 2 years). We see the post as a substantial opportunity for a designer at the beginning of his or her career.

Other Terms and Conditions

Standard terms and conditions apply to staff of Cumbria Theatre Trust (Theatre by the Lake). These will form part of a formal contract of employment.

Equal Opportunities

Theatre by the Lake is committed to the development of positive policies to promote equal opportunities regardless of sex, marital status, colour, race, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or responsibilities to dependents. The principal criteria for selecting a person for a particular job shall be a person’s ability and the job’s requirements.

Smoking

Theatre by the Lake is a ‘no smoking’ building.

A 5-day intensive course led by David Neat
Rose Bruford College, Sidcup
Summer 2008 dates: 21-25 July, 8-12 September

The term ‘advanced’ is used because it is assumed that those interested will already have the basics, but want to extend their repertoire of techniques and understanding of different materials. It is aimed at practitioners or experienced students in a variety of disciplines.

David Neat is a professional model-maker with 25 years experience in theatre, film, 3D design, architecture and exhibitions. He is a Motley graduate, a practicing sculptor, and a qualified teacher (including Rose Bruford College, Central St. Martins, Central School of Speech and Drama, RADA and Wimbledon College of Art where he teaches on the ‘Technical Arts and Special Effects’ and ‘Set Design for Stage and Screen’ courses). His book Model-making: Materials and Methods, a comprehensive, interdisciplinary book on model-making, has just been released by Crowood Press.

His emphasis in these workshops is on accessible techniques of building, modelling, surfacing and finishing which are largely common to all the above disciplines, and relevant both to designers and makers. There is also an emphasis on ‘realism’ in representation, which is geared more to theatre and film work than the other disciplines, but the aim in keeping the course solidly materials-based is to provide just as much of relevance to the architectural or product model-maker. Each session will offer a wealth of information, supported by specially prepared examples and clarified through demonstrations and practical exercises. Areas covered include: -
methods of constructing with card, plastics and foams; methods of casting; modelling with soft materials inc. figures; techniques of soldering and etching metals; simulating plants and trees; various surface/texture treatments and paint finishes.

Many materials are covered, while both traditional and new techniques are explored. Another aspect is the reliance on simple tools and accessible materials, rather than complicated or expensive machinery. All materials for the practical exercises are provided. Participants must however bring their own essential equipment (such as scale rule, scalpel, cutting mat and soldering iron). A complete list will be forwarded prior to the begin.

Each individual will also bring with them their own varied knowledge and talent, making this a valuable opportunity to discuss and compare personal experience. Whether you are a theatre designer wishing to make better, more convincing models; a  stop-motion puppet animator searching for the right environment, or an interior designer aiming for the right presentation - this course will help you on the way.

The cost per person will be £220, payable to Rose Bruford College in advance. This is still very low for an intensive course of this nature. Places are limited to 15, for the most effective teaching and participation, so those interested are advised to apply a.s.a.p.

Email… davneat (at) aol.com or phone David Neat on 07989 474786 for more information or to request a booking form.

The Association of Courses in Theatre Design and The Centre for Excellence in Training for Theatre are offering a series of Costume Master classes in association with the Collaborators exhibition
at the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington Dates, practitioners and times listed below!

Mon 30 June
Jenny Hayton, (Central St Martins) David Garnett & Jocelyn Cuming (Camberwell College of the Arts):
Archives and Emotions - Exploring the Balance Between Creativity and Collection Care

Tues 1 Jul
Donnatella Barbieri (London College of Fashion):
2D 3D Practical Design and Exploration

Wed 2 Jul
Mandy Barrington (Bournemouth Institute):
Visualising the silhouette in 3D

Thurs 3 Jul
Hilary Baxter (Wimbledon College of Art):
Fantastical Beings

Fri 4 Jul
Megan Baker (Edinburgh College of Art):
Paper Costumes

Workshops are £20 per day — but only £10 for students — participants will meet in the Temporary Exhibition Space on the day, and all workshops last the full day from 10:30 to 4:30. You may be asked to bring some of your own equipment depending on the workshops you book for.  Contact Julia (as listed below) to reserve a place and receive directions for payment!

Portfolio Review Weekends 27/28 June and 5/6 July
Bring your portfolio to the Temporary Space in the Collaborators exhibition and get feedback from exhibiting designers and the general public. Slots available from 10.am and 2pm. BOOK IN ADVANCE!

Space for booking is extremely limited — please contact us now to book!
Email Julia at j.barnett@cssd.ac.uk

From Ritual to Theatre - Asian Ritual Festival Workshop is an exciting once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in Taiwan’s Ghost Festival in Keelung and work with participants from around the world in a complimentary program of workshops organised by OISTAT and the Taiwanese Governments.

The full OISTAT press release follows:

We are cordially inviting you to join <From Ritual to Theatre – Asian Ritual Festival Workshop >, organized by OISTAT Secretariat and supported by Taiwanese Governments.  The workshop will take place during the Ghost Festival in Taiwan from August 13th (arrival) to 24th (departure), 2008.

A two-day trip to visit the Ghost Festival ceremony in Keelung will be arranged for the participants to observe the Taoist Shaman’s ritual performance, lantern pole erection, folk art parades and most important the “water lantern releasing to the sea”. You will also have once-in-a-life-time experience with the exotic spirit in rituals like “Grand Putu” as well as the Hakka Holy Boar Competition.
In the workshop followed by the trip, we are hoping you to share your observation and inspiration with the Taiwanese performing art profession (directors, designers), as well as theatre apprentices/assistances who will tour and work with you.The intention of the workshop is to encourage intercultural exchange and dialogues based on the grass-roots culture and to transform the ritual into theatrical ideas.
It is expected to present your initial works in the last day of the workshop in the forms of installations, story boards for a potential production, video/photo documentary and its transformation, design as performance, etc. Further development of works from the workshop is encouraged and we are hoping the works could be presented in future OISTAT events such as Scenofest, World Stage Design, or even end up as production in Taiwan.
The participants will be provided with logistic support, basic working materials, space for workshop/presentation. Local trip to Keelung, Welcome& Farewell dinners will be arranged and covered by the host. However, you are responsible for your own traveling arrangements and local accommodations.
For detail information, please click below to link to OISTAT Website. (http://www.oistat.org/newsletter/ghostfestival/) If you are willing to join the workshop, please fill out the registration form and email back to OISTAT Secretariat secretariat@oistat.org before 25th June with your traveling information. Attached please find also view the preliminary program

Download:

The Registration Form

Preliminary Program

Contact:

OISTAT Secretariat
Project Director: Wei-Wen Chang executivedirector@oistat.org
Contact Person: Chin Mu secretariat@oistat.org
Tel: 886-2-77260088
Fax: 886-2-7726-0808