Students from AUB’s BA Costume and Performance Design course have been considering the impact of their work on the environment and how this can be made more sustainable, as part of a second-year unit creating designs and costumes which will contribute to a live production of Treasure Island in March 2020.
Bryony Lavery’s acclaimed adaptation, first seen at the National Theatre, will be produced by AUB Productions, a cross-discipline group of actors, set and costume designers, make-up artists, scenic artists and other production specialists all either studying or working at the University.
Second year students work on two distinct pathways as designers or makers. Costume making students have been working from designs for pirate costumes created by Costume Construction Senior Lecturer Wayne Martin, and will be marked on their costumes, some of which will feature in next year’s production of Treasure Island.
Meanwhile, Design students working from the script on a more open brief, will be taking advice from directors as well as considering budget and the impact of both small and large venues on their ideas.
Performance Design Senior Lecturer Adele Keeley, said: “This year, we tasked our students with immersing themselves in a wide range of performance genres, producing set and costume designs for a variety of venues and interpretations of characters’ dress for Robert Louis Stephenson’s Treasure Island.
“Given that the author himself has a real connection to Bournemouth; we thought it particularly exciting that we are producing Treasure Island next year and important that our students have the chance to shape the aesthetic and look of the production.”
She added: “As costume designers, artists and scenographers, we must also address sustainability in the performing arts and entertainment industries.
“As part of our efforts, many of the fabrics used are recycled and designers have had to consider the environmental impact of their work and we’ve brought this element into our marking of the students’ coursework and this theme will continue throughout their studies here at AUB.”
AUB’s award-winning costume design course will split across two different programmes in 2020, offering artists the ability to discover two distinct pathways, BA (Hons) Costume and BA (Hons) Performance Design and Film Costume.
