Covid, Graduating & The Industry

Seonaid Gowdie

What did you study and where did you study it? 

I studied BA Theatre Design at Wimbledon College of Arts. 

What were your favourite parts of the course/ best experiences? 

            I really enjoyed doing crits. Although they can be really nerve wracking, they were a good opportunity to practice communicating ideas and to discuss how we interpret each other’s work. My course provided me with the opportunity to refine skills like model making and learn completely new skills like CAD. I also loved the experience of collaborating with course mates as we all have different skill sets and interests which allowed us to become a well-rounded team. 

What were your least favourite parts of the course/worst experiences? 

A stressful and frustrating experience I had was the final two days of my third year live performance project. It was a contemporary dance show and was my first experience putting on a live performance where I was solely responsible for the budget and actually creating my set and costume designs. I initially wanted to suspend my set on fishing wire but it ended up being too heavy so I had to find a new way to suspend it which ended up being with cable ties. The choreographer had changed part of the costumes at the last minute. Understandably she had a better idea of what was needed for the choreography and the dancers, however the change in costume meant that part of our initial concept was lost. The final outcome was much less polished than I’d hoped and I ended up going over budget, however I still consider the show a successful piece of work. 

Had you managed any productions prior to Covid-19, if so what were they? 

In my second year some course mates and I devised a show called Face to Face which was based on the themes of disguise and indirect communication in Twelfth Night. My main roles in the production were sound and lighting design. In my third year I collaborated with a choreography student from Middlesex University to create a contemporary dance piece which we called Internal Rhythm. We were inspired by the sounds created by the human body. My role was to design and create the set and costumes. 

How do you feel about getting back into work? Do you feel at all at a disadvantage? 

I do feel at a disadvantage but I also feel optimistic. Everyone has had a tough time during the pandemic and I think people are aware of how difficult it’s been for students and graduates to find work. There’s been a lot of empathy and people have been offering advice and support. 

Do you feel like there will be a change in the industry post Covid-19? If not, do you think there needs to be? 

I think there will be. Covid has slowed everything down and given people time to reflect. Gig workers and freelancers were being told to train in other industries and this highlighted the need to protect freelancers who work in creative fields. Similarly, during the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement last summer a lot of organisations have said they aim to be more inclusive and I think audiences and theatre professionals will definitely hold them to that. 

What are your future goals/aims? 

Currently my skills lie in set and costume design so I’d like to pursue a career in these areas. However, I’d also like to gain skills such as carpentry and dressmaking so I can also be involved in the realisation of designs. 

Why did you want to be a part of Backstage Niche? 

I like the idea of having a network of creatives of colour. Backstage Niche provides us visibility in a very white industry.

2021