User:Mark howett

Mark Howetts Career in theatre began 1979, as a lighting technician. He quickly progressed to the role of Lighting Designer. This he studied 1981-1985 at the Yale-school of Drama New York. The Australian Opera’s production of “The Rake’s Progress” was his first major design with director Jim Sharman. In doing so Mark became the youngest designer for Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House. He has since worked with many Australian and International theatre, film, dance and opera companies, including:

? Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) ? Opera Australia ? The National Theatre UK ? Royal Opera at Covent Garden ? The Australian Ballet ? Sydney Theatre Company ? Company B Belvoir ? Bangarra Dance Theatre ? Adelaide Festival of Arts ? Auckland Opera

In the course of his distinguished career he has designed well over one hundred productions, an indication of the scale and extent of his body of work. Many of the productions he designed, have been recognised critically and received major awards. Numerous productions have toured extensively in Australia and overseas. Higlights include thelighting for Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre’s production of “Rites”, which was simulcast nationally on the ABC and toured to New York City Center´s in 1999. “Cloudstreet”, which Howett won the Robert Helpmann Award for lighting design. in 2002, toured to New York at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, National Theatre London, The Kennedy Center Washington, Zurich and nationally in Australia. In 2003 he designed the international tour of “Crying Baby” for Stalker Theatre Company, working with the traditional people of Northern Arnem Land. in 2004 Mark designed the Royal Opera at Covent Garden’s production of “Sweeny Todd”. Mark’s lighting for the Opera Australia´s production of “For The Love Of Three Oranges” directed by Francesca Zambello is due to tour in 2007. “Kura Tunga” was an highlight in 2005 working as Cinematographer, Lighting and Vision Designer with the Australian Arts Orchestra; the production won the Robert Helpmann Award for the Best Presented Concert. He also designed the Lighting and vision for the Company B´s production of Gulpilili starring David Gulpilli and directed by Neil Armfield. Most recently Mark designed the Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre’s production of “Amalgamate”.

After many years of story telling through stage design, Mark has branched out into directing He was Assistant-Director on “Conversations With The Dead” from Company B and was a part of the collaboration team, that reworked the original script. In 2005 Mark directed the Australian Broadcast Commission short film Gangu Mama as part of the Deadly Yarns initiative. Mark most recently directed and conceived an improvised feature "Greenhead" for the Push, due for release in 2006. He was the Head of lighting course at Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts Edith Cowan University and still continues to teach when the opportune arises.

Productions (selected)

2005 For the Love of Three Oranges Opera Australia Lighting Design Director Francesca Zambell 2004 Gulpili Vision Design Co B Belvoir Assistant Director, Lighting and Vision Design Director Neil Armfield Kura Tunga Australian Arts Orchestra Robert Helpmann Award for best-presented concert 2005 Cinematographer, Lighting and Vision Design 2004 "Sweeny Todd Royal Opera at Convent Garden Lighting Design Director Neil Armfield 2004 Norma Opera Australia Lighting Design Director George Ogilvy 2003 Strategy for Two Hams Deckchair Theatre Director Mark Howett 2003 Inma Opening Ceremony Adelaide Festival of the Arts Lighting Design and Conception Panel 2002 Cloudstreet Co B Belvoir Lighting Design Director Neil Armfield Robert Helpmann Award for best lighting design 2003 2002 Buried Child Co B Belvoir Lighting Design Director Gale Edwards 2000 As You Like It Co B Belvoir Lighting Design Director Neil Armfield 1999 Rites Australian Ballet Lighting Design Director Steven Page 1994 Dead Heart Co B Belvoir Lighting Design Director Neil Armfield 1992 Popular Mechanicals I & II Co B Belvoir Lighting Design Director Geoffrey Rush