Lobese’s designs take centre stage
Set and costume creator explains how she brings storylines to life
Set and costume designs are an integral part of almost any theatre production.
Sets and costumes provide the audience with some context for the play and to understand the storyline. That’s why the local theatre industry will always rely on people like the award-winning Noluthando Lobese to bring forth fresh and innovative ideas on how to tell stories on stage.
In layman’s terms, she is the person who makes sure the stage looks like a real home, and ensures that the actors wear the clothes that suit the storyline.
Lobese, 32, who has worked for both local and international productions, is one of the few black women in this field.
Born in Johannesburg, she grew up in Queenstown in Eastern Cape and Hillbrow in Johannesburg, and has been fortunate to have turned her passion into a career.
Since she was introduced to costume design in 2008 at the Market Theatre, she has worked with reputable directors like James Ngcobo, Princess Mhlongo, Napo Masheane and Ntshieng Mokgoro.
Armed with a strong background in fashion, Lobese established her profile as a costume designer and spread her wings to stage design.
She has worked as a designer with different international stage directors for shows that have been staged in countries such as Germany, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, Swaziland, the UK, US and Holland.
“It has been a beautiful experience for me. And this year I have also ventured into film and TV.”
She notes that there aren’t enough black people in the industry. Her daily job is to run around looking for appropriate furniture for various theatre shows at speciality places like The Cottage. As a costume designer, she often buys vintage clothes at Hospice shops.
She said everything starts with a briefing session with the design after perusing the script of the show.
“In the first meeting I listen and get a feel of the show. In the second meeting I share my ideas and we can discuss them. This is where I bring a model, texture and colours.
“As a costume and stage designer, you should not settle for what the brief says. You can always question it. The directors depend on the designers to bring the visuals,” she added.
She grew up enjoying sewing but studied electronics when she matriculated . She graduated and got a job at the famous Sun Goddess shop in Rosebank, northern Johannesburg.
While working there, she decided to study fashion at Parktown College.
“I dropped out because it was not challenging enough... I decided to join Market Theatre to learn more about costume design. I worked under Nadya Cohen.”
bambalelep@sowetan.co.za
You should not settle for what the brief says