Theatre Designer

Passionate about new writing Jan Bee Brown has worked in theatre design for over 25 years.  Graduating from Central St Martins in 1987 Jan’s career has taken her around the world, from the west end to remote village halls. Inspired by collaborating with new writers and new technology Jan crosses traditional boundaries in performance, installation and 3D design. Highlights include working with Johann Kresnik in Germany, John Martin at Pan Projects, Siobhan O Casey at the Abbey Theatre in Ireland, with Stellar Quines in the Scottish highlands and with Andrew Pollard and Adam Sunderland on their fantastic alternative Christmas shows. Working with Sir Alan Ayckbourn at the Stephen Joseph Theatre continues to be both a pleasure and an honour.

As a theatre designer, curator and artist you are a essentially a visual Storyteller.  Everything an audience sees on stage, the way we navigate a narrative landscape to the way we interact with and interpret a collection of historic objects or art works – all of this has been researched, considered, budgeted, decided on and fashioned by the designer.  A designer is only as good as their support team and as a collaborative artist Jan Bee works across all the artistic and technical departments in a theatre or museum.

Theatre Design for new writing

The Idiot at the Wall – Elspeth Turner for Stoirm`Og, Scottish tour. 2013

Arrivals and Departures – Alan Ayckbourn, Stephen Joseph Theatre. 2013

Scarborough Cinderella – Andrew Pollard and Adam Sunderland, SJT. 2012

Soul Man – Chris Monks’ adaptation of Rigoletto for SJT. 2012

Geordie Sinatra – Fiona Evans, Live Theatre Newcastle and SJT. 2012

Nutcracker Prince – Andrew Pollard and Adam Sunderland, SJT. 2011

Dear Uncle – Alan Ayckbourn, SJT. 2011

Jack Lear – Ben Benison, SJT. 2008

Perfect Pie – Judith Thompson, Stellar Quines Theatre Company, Tron and Scottish tour. 2006

Piper’s Cave – Rona Munro, Boilerhouse, Edinburgh Festival and tour. 1996

Montrose – Robert Forest, Royal Lyceum Theatre. 1996

Conversations With My Father – Herb Gardener, Old Vic, London. 1995

Haunting Julia – Alan Ayckbourn, SJT. 1994

End Of The Food Chain – Tim Firth, SJT. 1994

Penny Blue – Vanessa Brooks, SJT. 1999