World Stage Design - Congratulations to David Shearing, Ingrid Hu and Kathrine Sandys
David Shearing – “New Beginning is an immersive multimedia performance designed and directed by David Shearing, exploring themes of renewal, hope, and climate change. Using a breathtaking combination of design, soundscapes, and projections, the work invites audiences to reflect on our planet’s future. The 60-minute experience unfolds through seven chapters, navigating the magic of forests and the devastating effects of climate change. Young participants, instead of professional performers, guide audiences through this powerful narrative, taking on unique roles in stagecraft manipulation. 2 of 2 Described as “performance art at the highest level” and a “soul-stirring masterwork,” New Beginning is innovative, placing design at its core rather than traditional performance. The work incorporates state-of-the-art digital technology and sustainable touring methods, using locally sourced, reusable natural materials and adapting to international audiences with multilingual voiceovers and local youth participants.”Ingrid Hu – ‘Something In The Air’ is a site-specific, family performance for children aged 4 to 8. Working as a collaborating designer on development of this devised performance alongside director Sue Buckmaster, the design process started with exploring air as a material and our relationship to it. Air in its multifaceted presence in our daily life is weaved into a narrative fusing puppetry, object manipulation, costume and set design.
Material experimentation and making is an integral part of my design process. For this project, a key decision is made early on not to use PVC – a common material used in inflatables which is toxic. This leads to the use of TPU, a recyclable thermoplastic that has been mainly used in packcraft and water sports equipment. A range of inflatable ‘plants’ – including both fan-powered inflatables as well as air-filled TPU inflatables – are integrated into the overall scenography.
The costume design features a concertina-like ‘pump’ on different parts of the body to externalise the idea of a breathing organ worn by the three Air Keepers. Made from folded paper and fabric, these body pumps are connected to the costume using magnets and can be taken out as standalone objects’.
The full list of WSD2025 winners in both Professional and ‘Emerging’ categories is on the OISTAT website: https://oistat.org/news_detail.php?id=1329
Scroll down to the bottom of the list for the link to the WSD 2025 on-line only Catalogue with all exhibited entrants plus the Architecture Competition (TAC) and Technical Invention Prize (TIP) exhibitors. Or go direct to: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lTnotwI_fBUuJZfI7CA1UVp68N-awrNs
Kathrine Sandys is a scenographer, researcher and academic working with predominantly light, sound, landscape and space, and is Head of Theatre Practice at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
More from World Stage Design 2025
The Gold award in the Professional Space and Object section went to UK architect- designer Jennifer Ann Hall for Midsummer Mystery which she created with Walk the Plank company for Bodø Capital of Culture in Norway 2024. It involved the local community, folklore, and a huge telescopic wooden tower that went up in flames.
There were many designs for productions in theatre buildings too, in particular extraordinarily beautiful and sophisticated lighting and projection by Chinese and Taiwanese designers in both emerging and professional categories. It was exciting also to see more of the work of Chinese costume designer Qin Wen Bao who blends calligraphic painting and embroidery in his movement inspired costumes. This video presentation from another event gives an indication of his process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCAXWw8FJls
WSD 2029 willl be held in either Berlin, or Bucharest. Both countries made presentations in Sharjah about the concepts, locations and contexts that would frame – and inform their proposals. OISTAT Executive and Governing Board make the decision – and the calls for participation will start again in approx 2 years time….. Do keep it in mind…..
