Theatre Design Seminar

On Friday 3 May, GCSE Drama pupils were treated to a fantastic Theatre Design Seminar with two Old Blues currently working in the business. Georgia Koronka (Thorn B, Gr W 09-16) and Phil Glenny (Peele B, Gr W 05-12) gave the pupils an insight into how they moved from Christ’s Hospital to studying in technical theatre and design, offering career advice to those pupils who might be interested in following in their footsteps.

Georgia, who currently studies Costume Design for Theatre, Film and Television at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, offered brilliant design ideas for approaching the set exam text, ‘An Inspector Calls’. Pupils were able to see context, images and material that might be used in this period piece. Pupils learnt key technical vocabulary and were able to ask questions about their own design ideas, with Georgia offering an insight into how a theatrical costume designer would approach this particular play. Phil, who is now based in Liverpool after attending the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, offered a great insight into his work with professional companies, working on touring opera and site-specific performance work as a lighting and sound designer. Pupils were able to learn about the specific technical equipment that might be used in a professional theatre and the effects that these can create. Phil ended his presentation with a fantastic video of a light show that he had designed as part of the ‘LIPA Light Show’, showing the endless possibilities open to designers working in the industry today.

The photos show pupils trying on Victorian costume pieces!  The afternoon was so immensely helpful and the Drama department feel so lucky to have such wonderful professionals to be able to invite back to school to help the current generation of ‘Bluecoats!’