Alumna wins the 2019 Linbury Prize for Stage Design

Central graduate Sami Fendall has been named the overall winner of the 2019 Linbury Prize, widely acknowledged as being the UK’s most prestigious award for Stage Design.

Announced at a ceremony at The National Theatre on 2 December, Sami picked up this award in recognition of her designs for a newly commissioned dance work as part of Ballet Now, an initiative for Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Of her time on Central’s BA Design for the Stage course, from which she graduated in 2018, Sami said:

“Studying at Central provided me with a platform to experiment and explore as a designer. The people I met and skills I gained throughout my studies supported me during the Linbury process. Without the community of Central I do not feel that I would be where I am today.”

The Linbury Prize for Stage Design, founded in 1987, is the only competition of its kind in the UK and allows graduates to work with leading directors and choreographers to gain a professional commission with four major UK companies. The judging panel this year included two Central alumnae, Lizzie Clachan (Absolute Hell, As You Like It) and Rajha Shakiry (Nine Night, Misty).

Speaking about this year’s competition, Rajha Shakiry said:

“The Linbury Prize for Stage Design stands as the most prestigious award for young designers to launch their careers. The design portfolios of this year’s applicants represented a variety of exciting creativity and skills that are being developed and nurtured by design schools around the UK”.

All 12 finalists’ work, including their final models, can be seen at The Linbury Prize for Stage Design Exhibition in the Lyttelton Lounge at The National Theatre.

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