(13-19 yrs) Pro-D Workshop: Set Design

A set designer works in the fields of theatre, film, and television, and is responsible for creating the visual world of a production. They work closely with the director and other members of the creative team in a highly collaborative process to imagine, design, and communicate the physical environment in which the action of the production takes place. This can include everything from set pieces and backdrops to props and special effects.Set designers use their skills and creativity in art, design, and architecture to create immersive and convincing environments that help to tell the story and transport the audience to another world. They may work on a variety of productions, from small-scale plays to large-scale films or operas, and are an essential part of the creative process in the entertainment industry.In this workshop, students will learn from a master set designer, who will share her wealth of knowledge and experience to inform and inspire the young theatre-maker in the exciting discipline of set design. Topics may include analyzing the script, conducting research, exploring and developing design concepts and communicating the design through the use of sketches, models, and drafting.

Instructor Biography

Since graduating from Studio 58 as an actor in 1980, legendary Vancouver-based set designer Pam Johnson has designed over 350 stage productions. She has worked across Canada, from Montreal to Chemainus. Internationally her shows have been seen in Melbourne, Glasgow, Bangkok, Chicago, and New York. She has won several Jessie Richardson awards for outstanding set design, as well as a PACT Career Achievement Award. Pam was the resident designer at the Vancouver Playhouse for 24 seasons. She continues to freelance for Bard on the Beach, Arts Club and the Shaw Festival. Pam has also made an important contribution to the Canadian theatre sector through her work as a teacher and a mentor to hundreds of theatre students and emerging artists. She served as the Head of Design and instructed in Set Design at Langara College for almost three decades until retiring from formal teaching six years ago. One of her key strengths is how generously she shares her experience and wisdom with young artists. Today, her former students and protégés can be found making theatre across Canada and around the world.