OV Masterclasses (Mid-career)

Thu 30 Apr, 6–8pm, Clore Learning Centre

Gain a better understanding of copyright and intellectual property law and what it means for your work as a mid-career creative. This masterclass will be hosted by media and entertainment lawyer Helena Franklin (Partner at Simkins LLP) and will equip you with a better understanding of the legal framework creatives currently operate in and how best to protect your work. This masterclass will culminate in a Q&A.

About Helena Franklin

Helena Franklin is a Partner in the Commercial team at Simkins LLP, a media and entertainment law firm. She advises talent, rights-holders and creative organisations on commercial and intellectual property matters across the arts and wider entertainment industry. Helena studied English Literature and Shakespeare at UCL and spent five years as Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Tower Theatre Company. She has also worked in‑house at a large media organisation, supporting global creative projects. Her practice spans theatre, live events, advertising, talent and music.

Mon 11 May, 6–8pm, Greene Studio

Designed to help you communicate with confidence and clarity, whether you’re pitching, leading creative meetings or rehearsals. Hone your communication skills through a session with voice coach, Charlie Hughes-D’Aeth. Charlie works regularly with The Old Vic’s acting company, including recently with Susan Sarandon, Chris O’Dowd and James Corden.

This masterclass will provide practical techniques for confident communication through vocal exercises and is best suited to those working in roles that require addressing groups, such as directors and designers. This is not a session for actors.

About Charlie Hughes-D’Aeth

Charlie Hughes-D’Aeth has worked at The Old Vic since 2015 on over 25 productions. She is currently Consultant Text and Voice Coach for the RSC’s Matilda (Resident 2010–14) and working on the new musical Pride (Sherman Theatre, Cardiff/National Theatre). During her time at the RSC, Charlie worked alongside Cicely Berry, who moulded her approach to exploring how the voice can best service the text for actors and directors.

Before this, Charlie was a director, musician and playwright, and taught on MA and undergraduate courses in London drama schools. She has an MA in Dramatic Writing from Sussex University and qualified as a Voice Teacher from CSSD in 1992.

Mon 08 Jun, 6–8pm, Clore Learning Centre

Join Tony and Olivier award-winning Designer Rae Smith (most recently for The Old Vic: Oedipus, The Brightening Air) to explore the creative and practical steps when leading a design process at mid to large scale. This masterclass is best suited to professional designers who have experience designing for mid-scale or working as an associate at large scale and are looking to take the next step as lead designers.

About Rae Smith

Rae Smith is a renowned, award-winning set and costume designer working in a wide variety of styles and genres. She has won Tony, Olivier and Obie Awards for her work. Her theatre designs are frequently seen in the West End and at the National Theatre, in the USA, Europe, Japan and on International tours. She is a drawing fellow for University of Creative Arts London (UCAL) and is a recipient of the Jocelyn Herbert Lecture. Rae is a studied artist for the GCSE Drama and Art curriculum.

Wed 24 Jun, 2–4pm, Greene Studio

Discuss the opportunities and challenges of embedding sustainability into a design process. Led by production manager and designer Jenn Taillefer, hear insights of how you can embed sustainability into the creative process, when making design decisions and working with the demands of delivery.

This session will draw on sector-specific tools (such as Julie’s Bicycle and Theatre Green Book) and offer both practical and personal reflections on the impact of the climate emergency when making work at mid to large scale. This masterclass is aimed at mid-career designers and directors, including associates, who are moving from studio scale to working with larger organisations/partners.

About Jenn Taillefer

Jenn is a freelance theatre maker and designer, who also works as a sustainability consultant and trainer for the performing arts across the UK and mainland Europe. Jenn won the ABTT Award for Environmental Sustainability for 2023 and is a certified SEA with the International Society of Sustainability Professionals.

Jenn has developed and facilitates a performing arts-specific training offer, helping theatres, ballets and opera companies at all scales embed sustainable thinking. An early contributor to and adopter of the Theatre Green Book, Jenn now sits on the TGB Productions Committee and aims to integrate the guidance into her professional and personal artistic practices.