What I do:

Theatre Designer/ Maker/ Creative Learning

A little more about me:

After graduating with a degree in Theatre Design from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Jess has been successful in working on a freelance basis, as well as being employed by theatre companies and scenic paint-shops.

In an assistant role, Jess has been involved in both the set and costume departments at Dorset Opera; worked with several established designers; and trained in the wardrobe department for the Swansea-based film Hunky Dory.

A fondness of youth theatre resulted in Jess organising and running scenic painting and prop building workshops for students in Cardiff. Furthermore she annually designs and creates the sets for a local high school, and Youth theatre Group, working closely with their excellent drama departments providing an insight into the world of technical theatre for the students. Jess has recently started working with the Creative learning team at the Sherman Theatre, providing Set Design School Workshops for KS1 and KS2 students in South Wales.

Traveling to New York to design the costumes for a leading Performing Arts Academy gave Jess the opportunity to combine her two greatest passions; travel and theatre. Furthermore she was fortunate to work with Broadway Producers and form contacts with top industry professionals. During a twelve week period Jess costumed eight musicals.

After designing her first show 'Playhouse Creatures' for Chapter Studio Theatre in Cardiff in 2010, Jess went on to design a further five shows for this space, 'Death and the Maiden' in 2011; 'Dandelion' autumn 2013, "Robert Golding" the Sequel to award winning play "Richard Parker". which will also be performed at Edinburgh Fringe; "Fallen" by Greg Cullen, and most recently "Beauty and the Beasts" also by Greg Cullen and the 'Shock n Awe Theatre Company' in December 2013.

As well as working freelance, Jess has worked as a Scenic Artist for scenery construction companies such as 'Bay Productions Ltd', which has provided the opportunity to work on West end shows, World Class Opera, and the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Olympics.

Jess is extremely hard working. Fueled by her passion for theatre, she has worked tirelessly to achieve a career in The Arts. Through her attempts to continually challenge herself she has created a strong and yet diverse set of skills, but is always on the look out for new opportunities. Working as part of a creative team is a natural environment for Jess and one in which she excels.

In the future Jess hopes to carry on working in the Theatre as a Designer/Scenic Artist/Prop Maker, as well as travel with her work, design more shows and continue working with the youth and community theatres she has built up good relationships with.

Location:

Cardiff

Projects I’m working on:

Assistant to the Designer (Becky Davies)- The Tempest - Taking Flight Theatre Company
Literacy and Numeracy teacher at Newport High School

Personal Website/CV:

http://jesstheatredesigner.com/