Annette Ter Meulen: Developing light design in Dhaka
Light design lecturer at Hamburg University as well as the light designer of German Theatre House, Hamburg, Annette trained Bangladeshi light designers in a 21-day long workshop. This workshop was held simultaneously at two venues--the newly opened National Theatre Stage and Goethe Institut. Says Annette, "I had previously undertaken a similar collaboration in some European countries. But, this is the first time I am in an Asian country."
Is a 21-day long workshop sufficient to become a light designer? In Annette's words, "Twenty one days is a short time for a budding designer. It would be better, if I could follow this up. This would help the participants determine how much they can practically apply the acquired knowledge.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "Light designing is the most technical and practical-oriented element of theatre. One has to take into account the culture as well as the technical facility of a country. That is why, the participants need to transform the acquired knowledge according to the context of that country. Therefore, it would be better for light designers to exchange thoughts with me after a while."
What is the ideal path to become a light designer? Annette says, "There are better institutions in UK or USA for light designers. I went to study light designing in USA. However, interested people should work under any recognised light designer. At the same, one must go to watch theatre regularly as well as view art forms such as paintings, films and others so that they can develop their aesthetic sense.
"The necessary elements for a light designer are sound technical knowledge, individual style, good communicative skills as theatre is a collaborative venture of the director, designers, choreographers and performers. Moreover one has to understand drama and the structure of a play."
German theatre is very much contemporary theatre, she says. To quote her. "We stage plays on current global issues. At the same time, we stage classics like Shakespeare. Repertory groups, supported by the government, stage shows daily in their own theatre hall. In our group, German Theatre House, Hamburg, there are 400 workers of which 30 people work only in the light department."