DESIGN AS A BRIDGE​​

Connecting Audience, Actor, and Story Through Visual Understanding

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A key part of my artistic philosophy centres on the power of visual understanding - how we perceive and respond to what we see as individuals, as an audience, and as a society. In my design work, I see it as essential to create a visual world that draws the audience into the story, whether the play invites them to be silent observers or active participants in the storytelling. I think of this as a psychological break of the fourth wall - an idea I actively pursue in my practice.

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As a set and costume designer, I feel a deep responsibility to consider who the audience is and how they might connect with the story, the characters, and the world unfolding onstage. Even when that world feels unfamiliar, how do we, as artists, foster connection and engagement? For me, that connection begins with supporting the actor’s process - ensuring that the design grounds them in the given circumstances and deepens their ability to embody the character fully and truthfully. Design and directing choices can - and should - push boundaries and provoke thought, but challenge should never come at the cost of clarity. I believe in questioning and disrupting with purpose, not in ways that create barriers or dilute the story's intent. In that spirit, continuity of vision and open, ongoing communication - with both collaborators and the audience - are essential.

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In short, I believe that design is a bridge - between the stage and the audience, between the text and the actor - and it must serve the journey of both imagination and understanding.