Sophie Tang
“UBC gave me the opportunity to work with professional directors, stage carpenters, scenic painters, props masters and amazing production teams. It is a luxury to have the opportunity to design on stages like the Frederic Wood Theatre and the Telus Studio Theatre in the Chan Center for the Performing Arts. Because of the fantastic learning environment, I decided to do a double thesis in set design and lighting design. My advisor Robert Gardiner is very supportive and helped me hugely during my time here.
I assist-designed two shows in my first year: Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Eurydice and lighting designed two main stage shows: Arabian Nights and Edward II. They were two completely different venues so I learned how to adapt to different situations as a designer. Presently, I’m set designing Love and Information by Caryl Churchill, directed by Lauren Taylor, opening January 19, 2017. It’s a very unique play and I’m really enjoying the process.
UBC not only helped me develop professional skills but also opened up many professional design opportunities. A very good example would be Caged Beast. The director Peter Poon came to see Arabian Nights and approached me to design the lighting for his show.
UBC theatre program has taught me things I could never learn from a textbook. The experience gave me the confidence to face a variety of challenges, and I’m becoming a stronger designer because of it. I believe that a lighting designer creates a suitable environment for guiding the performers and the audience into the world of the play. UBC Theatre Design and Production have given me the skills to do that.”
