Work History

In 1992 I completed my degree in theatre design at Nottingham Trent University (2:1) with special interest in costume. After graduating I worked in a wide range of theatre production departments (including Belgrade Theatre Coventry, New Vic Theatre, Felgate Theatre and Tell Tale Productions) gaining professional experience and knowledge in model making, costume cutting and construction, soft props, prop making and scene painting.

In 1997 I based myself in Manchester, and have worked primarily for The Royal Exchange Theatre Company wardrobe department making hats, masks, costumes, props, dyeing and breaking down etc. I have also worked for The West Yorkshire Play House, Oldham Coliseum, Sheffield Crucible, Harrogate Theatre Company, Keswick Theatre By The Lake, Granada TV (Worst Witch, Northern Lights), DreamWorks Films (Gladiator), Lucas Films (The Phantom Menace) and Scottish Opera amongst others. In 2002 I devised and oversaw the making of the headdresses for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

I love colour, world textiles, arts and materials and I relish a creative challenge and problem solving, turning design concepts into reality. Recent projects have included creating a singing Bottom’s head-piece (Brussels Opera, “A Midsummer Night‘s Dream” 2004), costumes for meercats on stilts (Emergency Exit Arts 2006), head-banging punk masks (Clwyd Theatre Cyrus, “Beauty And The Beast” 2006), a dancing showgirl’s headdress (Opera North, “Orfeo” 2007) and most recently a pair of oil-spill covered Arial’s wings (Royal Exchange, “The Tempest” 2007).

I have my own workroom and will travel and work in-house/on-site whenever needed. I have recently been working for Leeds Opera North, working in-house on the spring season making and dyeing. I pride myself in working closely with clients, to high standards and with attention to detail to suit all budgets and production styles.

My love of theatre has led me to be a co-founder of Second Nature Theatre Company. I designed our first show “The Judgement Of Mr. Jenkins” for the 24/7 Theatre Festival in Manchester in July 06, which went on to win a MEN (Manchester Evening News) Theatre Award for the Best Fringe Show, and is going on tour in 2007. We are producing “Bullet Shaped Heart” and “Eating Out” for the 2007 24/7 Manchester Theatre Festival in July 2007.