Scene Shift: The Podcast

Theatre Is(n’t) Dying: Brave Moves and Sustainability with Set Designer Afsoon Pajoufar

In this episode of Scene Shift: The Podcast, New York based set designer Afsoon Pajoufar reflects on working across the US and Europe, comparing cultural approaches to risk, resources, and sustainability in theatre making. The conversation moves through what it means to be brave and bold as a designer, standing behind strong conceptual choices, embracing limitation, and allowing emotion to leave a visible trace in the work. Afsoon also speaks candidly about material responsibility, reuse, and whether theatre is “dying” or could simply shift into new, more intentional forms of making. Music by Claire McKeown "Sarabande in D minor" [https://open.spotify.com/track/33X6NXAFqKXffxbdxCJ80A?si=2163333f328d4722] More info about Scene Shift. Like, subscribe, and join our newsletter for our latest episodes and news!

Good Doesn’t Always Mean Better with Lighting Designer Pablo Santiago

In this episode, Scene Shift's set designers Maureen Weiss and Sibyl Wickersheimer learn so much from lighting designer Pablo Santiago. He explains the process of lighting design in theater, his career path from film, and the art of collaboration with other designers and directors. They discuss the importance of embracing imperfections and the role of lighting in storytelling, drawing insights from experiences with renowned directors like David Lynch and José Luis Valenzuela. The conversation dips into the creative process, the balance between the technical and artist expression, and the aspirations for making impactful moments in theatre. Music by Claire McKeown "Sarabande in D minor"https://open.spotify.com/track/33X6NXAFqKXffxbdxCJ80A?si=2163333f328d4722 More info about Scene Shift https://www.scene-shift.com/Like, subscribe, and join our newsletter for our latest episodes and news!

Computers Bring Me No Joy: Discussions with Shing Yin Khor on Puppetry, Gender, and Ethos of Art

In this episode of Scene Shift: The Podcast, hosts Sibyl Wickersheimer and Maureen Weiss reconnect with their former student-turned-colleague Shing Yin Khor, an installation artist, cartoonist, game designer, and puppeteer exploring Mythic Americana, collaborative storytelling, and new human rituals. What began over twenty years ago in the Cal State Long Beach scene shop has evolved into a friendship built on shared curiosity, respect for craft, and a refusal to follow prescribed norms.Khor reflects on the journey from set design to creating immersive installations, graphic novels, and independent games, and how puppetry became a liberating practice for exploring gender, embodiment, and control. The conversation moves fluidly between the tactile and the philosophical: cordless drills and band saws, the joy of making, and a rejection of digital detachment captured in Khor’s memorable line, “Computers do not make me happy.”Together, they unpack how physical labor connects to moral intention, how commercial art differs from independent work, and how creative collaboration can serve as quiet resistance to capitalism’s demand for productivity. The trio also begins to explore the concept of moral ambition: what it means for artists to pursue work that not only tells stories but reshapes culture with integrity, care, and purpose, a topic inspired by Rutger Bregman.Chapters00:00 – Origins in Set Design05:00 – Ritual and Mythic Making10:00 – Puppetry & Gender25:00 – Labor and Tools38:00 – Commercial vs Independent Art49:00 – Moral Ambition & Creative IntegrityMusic by Claire McKeown "Sarabande in D minor"https://open.spotify.com/track/33X6NXAFqKXffxbdxCJ80A?si=2163333f328d4722More info about Scene Shift https://www.scene-shift.com/Like, subscribe, and join our newsletter for our latest episodes and news!

Hard Feelings and Zombie Shows: Set Designers Discuss the influences of Parenting and Family

Join us for an honest roundtable discussion with theatre designers Chen Wei-Liao, Collette Pollard, Lee Jellinek, Louisa Thompson, Mimi Lien, Yvonne Miranda, and Naomi Kasahara, hosted by Maureen Weiss and Sibyl Wickersheimer. They share personal stories from gossiping in the theater with their kids to the challenges of balancing schedules during tech. They offer insights into various styles of integrating and navigating parenthood as professional designers. Some reflect on their upbringing, connecting aspects of their current practice with influences from their caregivers' careers and lifestyles. Key Highlights: Collette Pollard discusses the intersection of personal history and professional storytelling. Lee Jellinek shares insights on re-entering the design world post-pandemic. Louisa Thompson talks about the challenges of juggling theater, teaching, and parenting. Yvonne Miranda highlights the unique dynamics of costume versus set design and the very real lack of support for caregivers built into the theatre systems. Chen Wei-Liao reflects on family influences and the joy of creating and gives her “control group” perspective of why she chose not to have children and pursue this career. Sibyl Wickersheimer shares anecdotal experiences of unexpected bringing her kids to tech rehearsal and sharing a moment with her son at a play. Maureen Weiss shares advice for how to get through meltdowns and balance work and family. Mimi Lien sheds light onto the lessons our children teach us and how things don’t always go as planned as a parent

David Zinn on “Truths about Football and Sports Bars” in Theatre

In this discussion with Tony Award Winning set and costume designer David Zinn, we explore the importance of community among designers, the challenges posed by institutional frameworks, and the nuances of decision-making in design. We reflect on the performative aspects of our roles and the joy of collaboration, emphasizing the need for flexibility and openness to surprises in the creative process. We delve into the intricacies of collaboration in theater design, emphasize the importance of trust among team members, and discuss the journey of finding one's unique voice as a designer. Takeaways * The pandemic allowed for more meaningful connections among designers. * Isolation in the creative process can be mitigated through community. * Flexibility in decision-making is crucial for successful collaboration. * Surprises in theatre can enhance the audience's experience. * Compartmentalization helps designers switch between different roles effectively. * The creative process often involves embracing chance and accident. * The joy of design comes from both control and relinquishing it. * Collaboration is key in theatre design. * Trust among team members enhances the creative process. * Post-tech conversations are beneficial for team cohesion. Music by Claire McKeown "Sarabande in D minor." [https://open.spotify.com/track/33X6NXAFqKXffxbdxCJ80A?si=2163333f328d4722] Learn more about Scene Shift [ https://www.scene-shift.com/]. Like, subscribe, and join our newsletter for our latest episodes and news!