David Crisp

David Crisp

Department of Drama and Theatre Arts
Scenic and Costume Designer / Tutor

As Designer I specialise in scenic and costume teaching and support, as well as designing and overseeing the installation of the Drama department’s annual season of full scale public shows.

My role is varied- teaching both conceptual creative methods, and practical production skills, as well as advising and facilitating students, colleagues and industry partners in their creative work.

Qualifications

  • MA- Scenography, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, 2000

Biography

I had worked with the university as a freelance designer for many years before joining the Drama department as a permanent staff member in 2012. After completing my MA at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, I was invited to teach in their Theatre Design department and assisted restructuring the course before becoming the Resident Scenic Designer at the Birmingham School of Acting, now the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

As a freelance theatre designer, I have been involved in projects ranging from dance, opera, site-specific, theatre in education, and installations with companies such as the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Midlands Arts Centre, Little Earthquake and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. My main specialism is scenic design, though I have also designed costumes, props, masks, and puppets both professionally and for the university.

Over my time with the university I have designed the sets and costume for well over 60 full scale public performances in the Drama department.

Teaching

Teaching on the following undergraduate modules:

BA Drama and Theatre Arts

  • Theatre Crafts 1: Production Allocation
  • Theatre Crafts 1: Production Arts
  • Theatre Crafts 2
  • Theatre Crafts 3

BA Drama and English / Film / Creative Writing

  • Production Skills (upcoming 2025)

BA Cultural and Creative Industries

  • Creative Realisation: Crafting Outputs (upcoming 2025)

Beyond these I contribute to a very wide range of modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate level in the following fields:

  • Scenic Design and Construction
  • Costume Design
  • Theatrical Health and Safety