Background
Currently studying for a MA in Theatre Design at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Sarah has a First Class BA(Hons) degree in Performance Costume from Edinburgh College of Art (2010). Sarah has experience in all areas of theatre set and costume design, procurement, construction and budget control. Construction experience covers historical and contemporary costume and sets, pattern cutting, costume puppetry, millinery, wigs, shoes and accessories. Further experience extends to make-up, dyeing and breaking down, illustration and scale model making for set planning and construction.
Sarah has recently finished working as production designer for All Star Productions on "Godspell". This was a modern reworking of the musical to reflect contemporary issues. It was a huge success, achieving six nominations in the Off West End Theatre Awards.
Sarah is also working for the Rude Mechanical Theatre Company on their outdoor commedia dell'Arte production of "Gentle Harry's Farm" touring villages and towns in Southern England from June 2011. Set in 1957, Sarah's role is to produce costumes for six magpies who chatter their "One for sorrow, two for joy" rhymes throughout.
In January 2011 Sarah worked for Mike Lees as Costume Associate on a production of "Black Chiffon", a play in two acts by Lesley Storm, written and set in London in 1949. The play was performed at the White Bear Theatre in London and received four stars from the Guardian theatre critic. Sarah was responsible for procurement and/or creation of all the costumes for the six characters in the play.
From September to December 2010 Sarah worked for the Claque Theatre Company on "Matters of Chance" (directed by internationally acclaimed Jon Oram) as assistant costume and set designer to Laura Stanfield.
The two week play formed the climax to a four month Arts Council funded community project. The engagement extended to running workshops in schools and community centres, teaching methods of millinery, puppetry, costume and prop making.
Film
In July 2010 Sarah completed work as assistant designer to Megan Baker (Shakespeare's Globe) for the film 'Village on the Roof' directed by Nick Farr, produced by Martin Compston and Maryam Hunwick, supported by Zoe Wanamaker & Richard Wilson, released in December 2010. The film is set in 1599 Scotland.
Sarah's responsibilities included sourcing many of the costumes from storehouses, putting together ensembles and itemising necessary alterations for accuracy of period and fit. Any items that couldn't be ready-sourced were designed from historical sources and either self made, or directed for construction by seamstresses. Sarah designed and constructed a full scale historical gown and headdress for principal actress Kate Dickie.
Sarah led a team for the breaking down of costumes, and was on set throughout filming to ensure continuity, costume checks and for general wardrobe supervision.
Previous film experience includes wardrobe supervision and continuity ('Blindsight', directed by Greg Crosbie and nominated for the Jim Poole Short Film Award).
Theatre
Earlier works include a client based commission for Bennett Memorial's production of Romeo and Juliet. The commission was to develop the production's overall concept, costume design and set model. Following successful approval, the commission extended to materials procurement and direction of costume, makeup and set construction teams. Sarah was responsible for budget control, management of production schedules and for realising the final costumes and set.
Further experience includes: National Theatre, Cos-Prop (Sir Terry Pratchett's 'Nation' working with Dinah Collin), Glyndebourne (Glyndebourne on Tour, Carmen, the Magic Flute, Hansel and Gretel), The Arches, Glasgow (The Snow Queen), SameSky (Burning of the Clocks' Carnival Parade, Brighton)
Other works
Sarah also undertakes bespoke wedding dress commissions.
Availability
Sarah is available for work from early July to late September 2011 as a set/costume designer, wardrobe supervisor/mistress/assistant, and is interested in overseas touring work. Contact via Stagejobspro.com or through the contact page on this website.
