LAURA SHIMMEN

 

                                       


Introduction

Laura grew up in Buckinghamshire and studied Art Foundation in High Wycombe, she then decided to study Theatre Design at
RWCMD, graduating in the summer of 2006. The shows that Laurahas designed during her time as a theatre designer include, Blue
Remembered Hills and Dido and Aeneas at the Sherman Theatreand Tartuffe at the Bristol Old Vic. Closer Than Ever at the Bridewell Theatre, The Crucible and Opera Scenes in the Bute Theatre and was location and set designer on the short film Footsteps. Future projects include Fiddler on the Roof at the Bridewell Theatre.

Theatre Designer


BA (Hons) Theatre Design 2003-2006
The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Cardiff

Telephone:07950 384965
laurashimmen@gmail.com

Cumnor Cottage, 44 Watchet Lane, Holmer Green, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP15 6UG

 


Personal Profile


Three years of intensive training in both Cardiff and Bulgaria produced a desire to extend the barriers of theatre design by pushing the accepted norm and developing imaginative ideas for theatre. An ability to faithfully represent directors’ briefs, with strong interpersonal skills and a professional image is used to inspire teamwork and bring confidence and a high quality finish to the productions.


Key Achievements

• Fiddler on the Roof – set and costume. Directed by Caroline Leslie. Bridewell Theatre April 2007

• Footsteps – Short film. Location and production designer. Directed by Nic Dawkes. Dec 2006

• The Crucible - set and costume design. Director Caroline Leslie. The Bute Theatre Cardiff Sept 2006

• Punchdrunk – Faust Steward

• Design Assistant – Janet Bird. ‘Enjoy’ at Watford Palace Theatre

• Daddy’s Girl - Feature Film. Costume assistant Cardiff 2006

• Short listed for RSC Trainee Designer. 2006

• Closer Than Ever - Set and costume design. Giudecca Productions. The Bridewell Theatre London Sept 2006

• Dido and Aeneas - Double bill opera Set design. Director Emma Rivlin. The Sherman Theatre Cardiff July 2006

• Tartuffe - Costume design. Director Simon Reade. Bristol Old Vic June 2006

• Blue Remembered Hills - Set and costume design. Director Ruth Carney. The Sherman Theatre Cardiff February 2006

• The Pitchfork Disney - Design Assistant. Director Kate Saxon 2005

• Ten Belles / The Medium - opera double bill Design Assistant. Director John La Bouchardiere 2005

• Socrates Erasmus exchange student to Bulgaria. 3 months training in sceneography at the Royal Academy of Art, Sofia. 2005


Design Skills

• Model and figure making
• Technical drawing
• Photoshop
• Props sourcing and purchasing
• Set building and construction
• Basic domestic sewing
• Scenic painter
• Team Leadership



Key skills

1. Ability to visualise and realise ideas
2. Keen eye for detail, form and shape
3. Communicating effectively with team members
4. Forming logistic solutions for demanding challenges, using a wide range of problem solving skills to create solutions.


Education

BA (hons) Theatre Design. The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Graduated July 2006 with First Class Honours.
Awarded The Lord Williams Memorial Award for Design.
Diploma in Art Foundation. Wellsbourne College 2002-2003. Awarded Distinction level.


Personal Information

Full, clean UK driving licence
Health - Excellent
D.O.B 28/08/1984




Employment History

Visual Merchandiser: Marks and Spencer, John Lewis
Party & events dresser
Theme Traders. Costume Assistant Dec 1st – 31st 2006
 


References

Sean Crowley
Contact referee at:

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Castle Grounds
Cathays Park
Cardiff
02920391302


Caroline Leslie:

Carolineleslie@hotmail.com