Zoé Barnes

My name is Zoé and I am a director, performance historian and production designer, interested in the material culture of performance, both practically and theoretically.

As a director, I have experience in the theatre of the absurd and cruelty and, in spite of assertions about knowledge of and passion for design, considers myself an 'actor's director' above all. Over time, I have also developed techniques that promote organic emotional responses, and adapted Grotowski's methods to my own way of directing.

I have a degree from the University of Cambridge in Modern Languages (BA, 2019) and am working towards an MA in History of Design for Performance at the Royal College of Art, in conjunction with the Victoria and Albert museum. My research, as a performance historian, has included studying the figure of Pierrot, silent film vamps and Catherinettes.

My production design experience reflects work done as a costume designer predominantly, but also as a set designer and directing others in order to create an enticing and harmonious tonal, dramaturgic and visual effect.

I am looking to return to practical performance, after a health sabbatical and following recovery from a cancer diagnosis.

Credits

Director/Production Designer, The Wayfarer, Brazen Productions, TBC, 2022
Associate Director, A Sudden Burst of Blinding Light, Gilded Balloon Teviot, 3 weeks, 2017
Director/Production Designer, Blue Remembered Hills, ADC Theatre, 1 week, 2017
Director/Production Designer, A Spurt of Blood, Judith E. Wilson Studio, 1 week, 2016
Director/Production Designer, The Maids, Judith E.Wilson Studio, 2 weeks, 2016
Director/Production Designer, The Lesson, Pembroke Cellars, 1 week, 2016