#scenechange by Vicki Mortimer
A group of leading theatre designers have united to support fellow theatre creatives and ensure their voices are heard as the industry looks to ways to re-shape and re-build for life on the other side of the Covid-closedown.
Aimed at providing a platform for all theatre set and costume designers, #scenechange offers a place for creatives at all stages in their career to share their experiences and discuss ways to tackle the challenges ahead.
The initiative began with an email exchange under the title ‘Dialogue in Strange Times’ between a number of the industry’s most high profile set and costume designers – Bunny Christie, Lizzie Clachan, Anna Fleischle, Soutra Gilmore, Madeleine Girling, Max Jones, Katrina Lindsay, Vicki Mortimer, Tom Piper, Jemima Robinson, Rajha Shakiry, Rae Smith, Ben Stones, Lily Arnold, Jon Bausor, Ruth Hall, Natasha Jenkins, Simon Kenny and Lucy Osborne.
Noting that the current crisis has highlighted the precarious nature of the theatre industry, the group aims to positively engage with venues, directors and producers nationwide to support and inform the process back to production. While noting that the freelance workforce has been among the worst affected by the crisis, the group hopes it will also offer an opportunity to examine the issues that often impede freelance creatives and change the way the industry works for the better.
Launching #scenechange, the group which now numbers over 700 members said: “This is a moment of reset in our industry and we believe the design community can be an essential part of the transformation that will see theatre buildings being reopened and the ways in which theatre can be reimagined.
“As shapers of theatrical space through the use of people and place, our work is pivotal in connecting an entire ecosystem within the theatre industry. We are ideally positioned to be at the heart of any discussions about how theatre operates in the future.”
#scenechange is hosting a number of events within the theatre community to discuss and share experiences on the impact of Covid-19. Taking place via Zoom, the informal discussions are aimed at bringing people together in a time of isolation. For further details visit: www.scene-change.com/surgeries
The #scenechange website also offers resources including a blog from designers across the industry, an open forum, information on support and emergency funding, and provides a community and network for freelancers and artists during these challenging times.
Angela Thomas
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