An Inspired Makeover: The Trainees Redesign The Worthing Assembly Hall Dressing Room
Creative Collaboration
For the last few years we have been partnering with WTM on projects that introduce our trainees to various roles within the theatre industry. Most recently, the Interior Design Pathway trainees renovated the main dressing room in the Assembly Hall.
The SAND Project have partnered with WTM on previous creative projects. The Interior Design trainees completed an exciting makeover of one of the Pavilion dressing rooms in 2022. They have also visited the Connaught Theatre to take an immersive tour behind the scenes of the cinema. (You can read all about that in our other blog post!)
The trainees have met members of staff from the technical, marketing, and front of house teams to learn about the range of roles within our charity. Visits like these help them gain an insight into the opportunities that lie beyond, or behind, the stage curtains in an arts organisation.
Pavillion Theatre Dressing Room • Designed 2022
Design & Decor
SAND Design is one of our creative pathways that encourages artistic expression, whilst also exploring the real-world application of working to design briefs. The design trainees have worked on the interior design for their B&B SAND Bay Suites, and the colourful garden courtyard at the college. Since the autumn of 2023, the trainees have been working on designs for the main dressing room at the Worthing Assembly Hall.
“What started as a small community enterprise project has grown into a college, cafe, creative hub and many small enterprises promoting the skills of our individual trainees. Our trainees learn to become entrepreneurial and prepared to earn money for themselves. We lead by example. Our trainees are not charitable causes and we believe they are highly capable and add huge economic value to the community and businesses. Our aim is to send this message to the local industry.”
Inspirational Ideas
To begin their work, the trainees considered the space they were working with. The room’s layout and functionality, the practicality of the design, and the architecture of the Assembly Hall are all important factors. Their colour choices and design aesthetic have been inspired by features around the building. They took photos to create a moodboard and help develop their ideas. In considering the ‘instagrammable wall’ aspect of the brief, they shared their colour schemes and design ideas with one of the trainees on the Art Pathway.
Moodboards and colour palettes in the Design Studio
It’s Showtime…
The trainees have created a room that feels luxurious, cosy and relaxing for visiting stars before and after their gigs. The room also features a bespoke wall design, intended to be an instagrammable feature, which was a specific request from WTM’s CEO Amanda O’Reilly. The design takes into account the Assembly Hall’s function as a historic performance venue, as well as its Art Deco architecture. Creating a comfortable environment and a relaxing ambience have been the main goals in this design, as well as maximising the space and better utilising storage.
The bespoke wall feature is still to be installed. The design is a bold Art Deco inspired illustration of the Assembly Hall, completed in colours that complement the rich hues of the rest of the design. We hope our guests in the dressing room enjoy taking selfies in front of this unique feature.
The feature wall designed by the SAND trainees
“I feel that The SAND Project have given us a wonderful design. I’m very enthusiastic to see the work completed. I’m sure it will be a fitting place for any performer to come and have a short stay and enjoy the room. The mural looks like it will be fantastically instagrammable!”
Encore!
The trainees have worked incredibly hard on this design and we are delighted to have worked with WTM on another fantastic project. We are excited to continue working with together for many years to come!
If you wish to find out more about how else WTM are improving their spaces you can find out about the Fit for the Future fundraiser and their recent recipience of a Theatres Trust Small Grant.
Worthing Theatres and Museum is a registered charity, and they are committed to providing you with quality art and culture. For information on how you can support them as your local arts charity, such as donating or buying a membership, please click here.