Circa Theatre foyer was full of the Side By Side By Sondheim audience which also started at 6.30pm. A few curious people looked in at Circa 2 under working lights empty of any staging. Design discussions started as people arrived for the Lab which was a good sign. Introductions allowed us to get to know each - including a completed PHD, a description of a very active community theatre company and a balance between design practice and personal artistic practice. The questions and projects included tonight were: A balance of getting paid for work, setting rates of pay, and negotiating this. Projecting a moving image on and through haze. An interactive installation proposal and how people imagined it would work, what could add to it. Motivations for making work between process, product and sharing knowledge. How can projection convey information with a non speaking performer, and how this relates to a soundscape too. What can be the balance between these three. Design ideas for a musical based on some research - seeking advice on realisation and also process.

Topics explored in this session were. PQ - Prague Quadrennial - this is international exhibitions and events about performance design. (Blurb and web link at the bottom). Working costume design with different types of actors. We discussed availability for more work. What types of effects for a light up costume - LED and EL wire lighting. We looked at some and talked about how to attach them and operate them etc. "The Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space was established in 1967 to bring the best of design for performance, scenography, and theatre architecture to the front line of cultural activities to be experienced by professional and emerging artists as well as the general public. The quadrennial exhibitions, festivals, and educational programs act as a global catalyst of creative progress by encouraging experimentation, networking, innovation, and future collaborations. PQ aims to honor, empower and celebrate the work of designers, artists and architects while inspiring and educating audiences, who are the most essential element of any live performance." https://www.pq.cz/what-is-pq/

Since the Design Lab is about sharing and developing ideas at this session it was lovely to hear about a range of projects from each person. Then we decided which things were good to talk in more details about - to share our questions (as designers) and hear back from other people. The questions weren't always clear when we started talking about our work but these are some of the questions discussed: Where can I find people and companies in NZ doing this type of work? Since my costing came back about three times my budget what next? Is it unusual the way others are working with me? Do you think this bit will work for the show? People also shared what got them into design - and even though many of us knew each other it was great to hear things that were unknown about our pathways.

Here you can start discussions, connect with members, reply to comments, and more. The forum is public (to start with) and once you sign up you can post. At the BATS Theatre STAB session on design there was a strong desire for resource sharing, anything from types of contracts through to places to find materials and technology. Have something to say? Leave a comment or share a post. Many thanks, Lisa