The 2011 Michael Northen Bursary (MNB) awards, presented at PLASA 2011, saw not three winners but four, plus a dramatic change of criteria for the entries.This year, for the first time, entrants for the Michael Northen Bursary were required to submit a portfolio which demonstrated imaginative and creative lighting design, together with an explanation of how and why the end result was achieved, for between two and four productions. Until now students were required to submit just one production and the ALD, which manages the Bursary, felt that this change would not only demonstrate consistency in the entrant’s work, but also provide the students with the basis of a portfolio which they could use in their future careers.
The change in criteria did not, however, make the judges’ task any easier, as organiser Jack Knowles explains: “The quality of work was exceptionally high and this was reflected in the amount of detail the students had put into their portfolios.”
In addition to the MNB, this year saw a one off presentation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ALD. Specifically for emerging lighting designers who had graduated within the last five years, it took the same format, and was judged on the same criteria, as the MNB. The wide range of high quality work provided a great insight into the work of up and coming lighting designers.
The Michael Northen Bursary of £500, presented by Ken Billington, went to Rob Dyer who, having trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduated in 2011. The judges – Neil Austin, Natasha Chivers, Rick Fisher, Phil Gladwell, David Howe, Kathy Sandys and Mark White (also representing ETC) – felt that Rob demonstrated an excellent creative process, working with designers to achieve an effective combination of set and lighting design. He also used scenic features to advantage, researching appropriate kit and understanding how these elements could be used in context.
Rob’s lighting of The Blue Room at the Bridewell theatre showed valuable collaboration with the designer, which achieved a constructive solution to two key scenic elements, a ‘waterfall of fluorescent tubes and a Perspex floor’, enabling them to be used not only as a performance space, but also in the telling of the story and the development of the piece.
Francis Reid presented his eponymous Award of £250 to Elliot Griggs, studying at RADA, saying that Elliot clearly demonstrated an understanding for subtlety and the use of tints within lighting design and was able to use these as productive and suitable tools within his designs. His portfolio also showed that he was able to work well within difficult and restricting conditions and with minimal kit to create interesting and provocative designs.
The ETC Award, also of £250, was presented by Fred Foster, CEO of ETC, to Shmuel (Muly) Yechezkel, who graduated from Rose Bruford this year. Muly’s portfolio demonstrated dynamic and interesting choices in lighting, including the brave decision of not lighting the performers directly, instead creating intriguing patterns and geometric shapes within the design. He also demonstrated the ability to create worlds and environments with minimal or no set, such as using thin slits of light which cut through the space as the sole light source, with a full understanding of the piece and the suitability for lighting it in this way.
The ALD 50th Anniversary Award was for £550, the amount chosen because it is the number of the new Lee colour ALD Gold, created for the Association earlier this year. Paul Green, who graduated in 2008 from Central School of Speech and Drama, received his cheque from Richard Pilbrow, the first ever member of the ALD. The judges said that Paul’s portfolio contained an impressive and diverse range of work spanning dance, theatre and site specific, all complemented with beautiful images. He showed thoughtful collaboration with others, particularly choreographers, with the result that his lighting became an integral part of the performance.
The judges also gave an Honourable Mention to Lucy Record for her lighting of site specific pieces and her creative and design-led approach to these projects. Her portfolio demonstrated a strong willingness to think out of the box and consider unconventional equipment, such as using only Anglepoise lamps to light one piece. Lucy provided informative sketches from her initial process, showing how she is clearly led by design ideas and demonstrating her ability to be very creative, not allowing limitations to interfere with or compromise the final design. The presentation was made by lighting designer Anna Watson.