A new generation of theatre-makers is turning to long-form conversation to understand the craft behind the curtain — and we want to share why that matters to us.
I grew up in a very creative family. My dad began his career in rep theatre as a technical manager and set designer, and my mum was an actress and a singer. I was surrounded by that energy from an early age — the sense that you could make something out of nothing, that a story could be told through light, sound and space.
That atmosphere shaped me.
There’s a very particular kind of magic in taking an idea — something that starts as a loose collection of references or a mood board — and working with a team to bring it to life. Watching people step into a world you’ve helped to build is an incredible feeling. It’s what drew me into the industry, and it’s what continues to inspire me.
Later in my career, I became Operations Director at the British Film Designers Guild. It was there that something really struck me.
I started to realise that many of the brilliant suppliers I knew from my work in live events were also working in film and television. The same people, the same skills, the same craft — but operating in completely different spaces. It felt like these industries were running in parallel, rarely crossing over.
That didn’t make sense to me.
Why shouldn’t a designer working on a breathtaking theatre production be sharing ideas with someone creating an immersive brand experience? Why shouldn’t a production designer building a cinematic world be in conversation with a team designing for live events or retail spaces?
That was the spark behind Set & Scene.
I became deeply passionate about the idea of bringing these worlds together — not just in theory, but in a real, physical space. A place where people could meet, exchange ideas, share knowledge and learn from one another.
Set & Scene is about breaking down those barriers.
It’s about creating a platform where designers, makers, suppliers and technologists from across film, theatre, live events and immersive experiences can come together. It’s about recognising that while the outputs may look different, the foundations — the craft, the collaboration, the creativity — are shared.
Most importantly, it’s about celebrating the people behind the work.
The ones who build the worlds, solve the problems, experiment with materials, push boundaries and bring ideas to life every day.
That’s what Set & Scene is for.
We’re incredibly excited to open the doors on 25 April at Central Saint Martins and bring this community together for the very first time.
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