selected design work

ANTHEM
Bush Theatre

This was the Bush 18-25 Young Company’s first identity piece, meaning it was a collection of stories written and told by the young people, loosely based on truth.

I was given lots of creative freedom on this piece which resulted in some less conventional angles and colours being used. The set design was quite industrial which further inspired me to use broad strokes and harsh angles, whilst collaborating with the powerful energy the young people brought to their scenes.

ANTHEM Created by the Young Company & Katie Greenall; Production; Directed by Katie Greenall; Lighting Design by Ariane Nixon; Set Design by Peter Butler; Young Company Assist: Hart Fargo; Stage Manager: Jasmine Davies; Production Manager: Ruth Burgon; Sound Designer: Elliot ‘Eli.P’ Popeau-George; Movement Director: Tanaka Bingwa; Bush Theatre; Young Company; London, UK; 22nd August 2022; Scenic Artist: Ilaria Ciardelli; Photo credit and copyright: Helen Murray

[whalesong]
Alphabetti Theatre

For this sound play by xvelastín, inspired by man-made noise in the ocean, I spent a week in the rehearsal room with Velastín and created a visual accompaniment to perform live with an overhead projector to enhance their sound and poetry. I created the effects using water, oil, alcohol and colourings. I had to be sure of each choice I made when altering the water in the bowl as every addition would be permanent.

[whalesong] created and performed by xvelastín; lighting and overhead projection by Ariane Nixon.

Sugar Coat
Vault Festival

Sugar Coat was a riot grrrl gig theatre piece about sex, trauma and finding queer joy, seen through the lens of one girl’s coming-of-age. I wanted to treat the storytelling with great care and restraint, letting the music burst through with over-the-top colours, pulsing to the rhythm.

“every lighting decision reflects and enhances the mood”
– Loud Women

Sugar Coat written by Joel Samuels and Lilly Pollard; Directed by Celine Lowenthal; Lighting Design by Ariane Nixon; Emma Blackman Productions; Vault Festival 2020; Photo credit and copyright: Ali Wright

HORIZON
Bush Theatre

This was the Bush 14-17 Young Company’s 2022 piece which was written for them.

This was a play about a group of kids who gained superpowers after seeing some lights in the night sky. This meant I could contrast relatively naturalistic looks with magical blues and purples to highlight the beautiful UV floor painting, as well as creating a few tense scenes in the interrogation chamber.

HORIZON Written by Kwame Owusu; Directed by Abigail Sol; Lighting Design by Ariane Nixon; Set Design by Peter Butler; Stage Manager: Maja Lach; Production Manager: Ruth Burgon; Sound Designer: Elliot ‘Eli.P’ Popeau-George; Scenic Artist: Ilaria Ciardelli; Photo credit and copyright: Henri T Artist