Each brings their own unique specialist skills to the design table. James Thomas specialises in auditorium design and theatre planning, with emphasis on feasibility studies, concept and detail design. He brings 13 years experience as a qualified Architect and has worked at Fosters, Make and Thomas Heatherwick. Whilst at Foster and Partners he was part of the winning team for the Lincoln Centre New York.
Sonya Flynn's focus is on the planning aspects of theatre design. She brings nine years experience in architecture having worked with Hawkins Brown; Foster and Partners; Artlab, and Henry J Lyons & Partners in Dublin.
Chris Daniel will provide consultancy in all aspects of theatre design, and specialises in auditorium design and planning, seating, sightlines and accessibility. Having clocked up two years experience in the London studio of NBBJ, one of the ten largest architecture practices in America, he has acquired specialist experience in digital animation and illustration and is a skilled user of a plethora of rendering and animation platforms.
Ben Hanson, nephew of set designer Peter Davidson, studied at the Bartlett and since qualifying has worked as design assistant to set designer Johann Engels' on the design for 'Die Passagierin for the Bregenz Festival Festspielhaus in 2010.
Founder and managing director of Charcoalblue Andy Hayles says: "Since its inception, Charcoalblue's development has been structured to enable us to offer one of the most diverse skills sets available in theatre consultancy today. The welcome addition of James, Sonya, Chris and Ben - four extremely talented and experienced designers - will further complement our team and allow us to expand the services and advice we deliver."
To support the new staffing structure Charcoalblue has also promoted three of its well-respected consultants to senior consultant status. Gavin Owen, who specialises in stage lighting and audiovisual systems for the performing arts and is currently working on the RSC transformation project in Stratford -upon-Avon; Adam Crosthwaite, whose main focus is project management and stage lighting systems and who recently lit Marry me you Idiotat the Lillian Bayliss Theatre; and Paul Crosbie, who provides project management services with an emphasis on strategic planning, building-wide functionality and legislative compliance.
Hayles concludes: "If you've got a good idea - then we want to be able to offer you a team that is brimming with ways of turning your good idea into a great one! With the cutting edge skills that James, Sonya, Ben and Chris bring, and the hard-won theatre consultancy project experience of our young old hands Gav, Paul and Adam, the Charcoalblue team is growing stronger and more creative."
(Claire Beeson)
