What does the set and costume designer do for theatre?
The jobs of set and costume designer are often separate. I happen to do both for every project that I work on. I see it as a unified vision that I bring to the stage. My relationship with the director is more indepth by doing both jobs because the director does not edit what they’re talking about because he thinks he’s talking to only the set designer or the costume designer. So I really have an opportunity to be the sole participant in the project initially. I’m the first collaborator with the director. As a set designer I design the walls and the doors and the whole environment I often design the furniture itself that will be built to my specifications. Any accessory, a purse, bag, all of the elements that are three dimensional are the set designer’s job. The costume designer provides the clothing and the make up, and the wigs as well. What attributes make for a great set designer? Well for one thing, if you’re going to be an artist in Canada it requires a lot of perseverance. We’re
