Nottingham Trent University, Theatre Design, Degree Show

Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner Exhibition, Blades. K., 2011

A Bridge to the Stars Exhibition, Blades. K., 2011

'Bridge to the Stars' model box Exhibition, Blades. K., 2011

This is my final year degree show. I received really pleasant feedback for my space. I really enjoyed putting the exhibition together, we worked really hard as a year group to create a memorable space.

I contributed as much as I could throughout the year, my main role was Fundraising, we raised just under £2000, which was a great contribution!

As part of putting the exhibition together, Hannah Budd and I were asked if we could be part of a marketing video for the University.

Please find it under this link, its called Theatre Design/Design for Film and television:

http://www.youtube.com/nottinghamtrentuni

A Bridge to the Stars - Performance

Sara's story, Budd. H. and Blades. K., 2011

Joel and Samuel, Budd. H. and Blades. K., 2011

Simon Windstorm Driving, Budd. H. and Blades. K., 2011

Rolf, Budd. H. and Blades. K., 2011

Ship, Rose. N., 2011

Rope Laying, Rose. N., 2011

Joel, Rose. N., 2011

Mrs Westman, Joel and Samuel, Rose. N., 2011

Ensemble, Rose. N., 2011

Ensemble, Budd. H and Blades. K., 2011

Here are some production photographs of 'A Bridge to the Stars'. Which performed as part of the NEAT 11 Festival at Nottingham Playhouse in the Playroom.

All involved worked really hard to bring it all together, and it was a great performance, it sold out in both the matinee and the evening show!

We received a brilliant review, please take a look:

http://www.leftlion.co.uk/articles.cfm/id/3711

A Bridge to the Stars - Rehearsals and Fittings

Trees at Nottingham Playhouse, Budd, H., 2011

The Trees arrived at Nottingham Playhouse Theatre in time for Rehearsals to begin.

Rehearsals, Budd. H., 2011

Rehearsals, Budd. K., 2011

We designed the trees to house members of the Ensemble in order to create interesting levels for them to occupy. We wanted to create a claustrophobic environment, we wanted the audience to feel watched as they watched the story unfold. We wanted to create a feeling of a small community in which everyone knew and judged each other's business. The steel angular tree structures provided a platform for this.

Fittings, Blades. K., 2011

We worked very closely with wardrobe throughout the week of rehearsals and fittings. We needed to be organised and so I provided them with measurements, photographs of cast members and contact details. I also arranged fittings with the cast members. 

 

Most of the costumes were sourced, with a few items bought. We had a budget of £350 incl laundry, and we came in under budget, spending only £100 on costumes for 14 people! 

 

Here you can see our colour scheme coming together in the dressing room.

A Bridge to the Stars - Costume

Sara, Samuel, Joel, Simon Windstorm, Blades, K., 2011

Gertrude, Miss Nerderstrom, Rolf, Mrs Westman, Blades, K., 2011

 

Having had the opportunity to begin designing for 'A Bridge to the Stars' a good few months ahead, Hannah and I have been able to focus our attention on colour scheme. Until the play has been cast, we won't know the dress, shoe size and shape! of each character.

In an effort to style the costumes in a contemporary provincial fashion I have drawn influence from 1970's - 1990's fashion, with the idea that the characters are dated.

We decided to dress everyone in grey basics, and use layers to add character traits, the idea is that the cast will be interchangeable.

A Bridge to the Stars Model Box

Model Box, Blades. K. and Budd. H., 2011

Model Box Close up, Blades. K. and Budd. H., 2011

Model Box Close up, Blades. K. and Budd. H., 2011

Model Box, Blades. K and Budd. H., 2011

Exploding Shed, Parker. C

These are photographs of the finished model box, including a photograph of the installation piece by Cornelia Parker called exploding shed. We drew inspiration from this image because we believe the idea of still chaos is a leading theme within the play.

A Bridge to the Stars

White card, Blades. K., 2011

White card, Blades. K., 2011

I am Currently designing 'A Bridge to the Stars' alongside fellow student, Hannah Budd. It is part of the NEAT festival happening through June in Nottingham. The play will take place at Nottingham Playhouse in the Playroom.

The play has a 20 cast ensemble made up of a British and German cast.

We wanted to design an environment that allowed the audience to look in on Joel’s life. We wanted to create an atmosphere, through set and lighting design that would resemble a clearing in a woodland environment.

We recently had a successful white card meeting with all involved in the making of the play, including Nottingham Playhouse Staff, and Rocket Scenery, who are making the Set.

FFE - 10/11

Aladdin Ensemble, Blades. K., 2010

Aladdin Ensemble, Blades. K., 2010

Aladdin Ensemble, Blades. K., 2010

Aladdin Ensemble Front, Blades. K., 2010

Aladdin Ensemble, Blades. K., 2010

Ensemble Mask, Blades. K., 2010

During my last summer as a Student, I decided it would be a great idea to work 7 day weeks split between being a Shoe Shop Assistant ("can you guarantee these shoes will fit my child come September?" to which i would respond, "Can you guarantee your child will not grow within the next 8 weeks?".. Parents!)
And the lovely First Family Entertainment for their 2010/11 season. I had the opportunity to make, mend and craft. I worked on designs by Terry Parsons and Emma Waugh.

The first three photographs are costumes I made from a preexisting pattern.

I also worked on costumes similar to the third photograph, that needed sprucing up! We call it, "polishing a turd"

In the forth photograph I constructed the corset and attached the Obi. I made 6 corsets for Aladdin in Glasgow.

The last image of a mask i made from leather. Its Pig skin, and when rehydrated, you can mold it into any shape you like, leave it to dry, and then voila! In this instance, I soaked the leather, and then stretched it into a mold. When they aren't painted, and you hold it up to your face, whilst stood at the glass window of the warehouse, with all the lights off... well you can really scare someone!

http://www.ffe-uk.com/

Work Experience - First Family Entertainment

Photograph by Ian Olsson

Front, Blades. K. 2009

Back, Blades. K. 2009

Way back when (2009/10 Panto Season) I started out working for First Family Entertainment, one of the leading celebrity pantomime companies, making this mountain of a dress.

I worked alongside a lady called Maggie Power (her ability is in her name!) making this Christmas tree dress which was designed by Emma Waugh, Wardrobe Mistress.

The dress was worn by Scott St. Martyn, whilst playing an ugly sister in Cinderella, at the New Theatre Woking.

I worked on all aspects of the making process, from pattern prep to making to finishing touches. It also became, probably the most photographed dress in FFE history!

This photograph (along with framed, signed Jon Lee Headshot) now sit proudly in my living room, and will all ways be in my mind, 'a dream come true' (cue snowfall).

http://www.ffe-uk.com/