Ismini Papaioannou

Set Designer Costume Designer Prop Maker Architect Engineer Interior Designer

I am a London-based Theatre & Production Designer from Athens. Holding an MFA in Scenography from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, supported by the A. G. Leventis Foundation Scholarship and an MA in Architecture from the National Technical University of Athens, I work as a set & costume designer and art director in theatre, film, commercials, and fashion in London and Europe. Some of my recent theatre works include Fabulous Creatures by Collide Theatre Company, and As You Like It directed by Neil Bartlett. I have collaborated with several London theatres, including the Young Vic, JW3, Hoxton Hall, and the Arcola Theatre.  My artistic practice explores themes of identity, gender roles, and social constructions, often getting involved in politically charged projects that aim to push conventional boundaries in the performing arts realm. I aim to work eco-scenographically, sourcing for creativity fueled by sustainable practice.

Credits

2024, ‘Terras: monstrous feminine landscapes’ exhibition performance at The Crypt Gallery London (concept, design & soundscape)

2024, ‘Fabulous Creatures’ by Q. Beroud & E. Louizou, at Arcola Theatre London, dir. E.Louizou (set & costume designer)

2024, ‘The Downfall of Tray the Wonder Horse’ short film dir. Robyn McHarry (production & costume designer)

2024, ‘Codigo Postal’ by M. Barbosa at Teatro Aveirense Lisbon, dir. M. Barbosa (set & costume designer)

2023, ‘As You Like It’ by W. Shakespeare, at RCSSD London, dir. Neil Bartlett (costume designer)

2023, ‘Indecent’ by P. Vogel, at JW3 London, dir. Stephen Nieman (set & costume designer)

2023, ‘Social Knots’ exhibition performance at RCSSD London (concept & design)

2023, ‘Blame Game’ R&D at the Young Vic theatre, dir. Rebecca Goh (a)basement theatre collective (design)

2022, ‘The Other Side of the Tempest’, Athens Epidaurus Festival, directed by Yannis Houvardas (assistant set designer to Eva Manidaki)

2021-present, Lemonita Vintage: handpicked vintage clothing & handmade creations (stills art director & stylist)

2022, The Thief, short film directed by Matteo Pizzocaro (production & costume design)

2021, True Love, short film directed by Dimitris Tsalapatis (production & costume design)

2018-22, SOUTH architecture, A6Architects, Domes Architects Athens (Architect involved in all project phases)

Training

2022 – 2024 Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (RCSSD) MFA Scenography . recipient of A.G Leventis Scholarship

2013 – 2019 National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) Diploma in Architecture Engineering, ‘honors degree’ . recipient of L. Kaftatzoglou Scholarship Award



Location

London

Experience

2-5 years

Art forms / Disciplines

  • Architecture
  • Crafts
  • Dance
  • Fashion
  • Film - documentary
  • Film - feature
  • Film - short
  • Live art
  • Multi-disciplinary / cross art form
  • Opera
  • Photography
  • Theatre / Live perfomance
  • TV - drama
  • Visual arts

What I do

  • Costume Design
  • Curating
  • Devising
  • Performance Art
  • Prop Making
  • Set Design
  • Teaching / Coaching
  • Theatre making
  • Video Design
  • Working with Deaf artists
  • Working with Deaf non-professional adults / children
  • Working with disabled artists
  • Working with disabled non-professional adults / children
  • Working with learning disabled adults / children
  • Working with learning disabled artists
  • Working with young people
  • Working with young people with special educational needs
  • Working within a Community / with community participants
  • Workshopping & Development

Additional Languages

Greek, French

Social

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