David Shearing
Research Associate in Scenography
MA Performance Design and Practice
BA (hons) Performing Arts

 

Biography

David is Research Associate in Scenography at the University of Leeds. Here he is conducting research into concepts of participant immersion within scenographic practice.  He also works professionally as a performance maker showing work across the UK and internationally.  His interests span a number of fields including the integration of hi and low technologies within performance, sound spatialisation, environmental design and architectural space. The presentation of his work is often cross modal, creating hybrid performance and installation works that continually question the nature of the theatrical experience.   

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Research Interests

• Scenography
• Collaborative Performance Practice
• Interaction and Participation
• Sound Spatialisation
• Architecture
• Dramaturgy
• Video, Sound and Photographic Technologies
• Durational Performance
• Experimental Devising Methods

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Research Group

Performance Technologies

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Current Teaching

Level 1: Performance Perspectives
Level 2: Image-Based Performance, Collaborative Performance Project, Theatre, Technology and Performance.
Level 3: Performance Project, Scenographic Scheme, Dissertations

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Current Roles

Research Associate in Scenography
PCI – VLE Tutor

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Projects

VOID (2010) with Dr James Mooney: an immersive 12 speaker sound and light installation that shifted audience perception of space by positioning the participant within the frame of performance; presented as part of Light Night Leeds.

VOID / ROOM (2010) with Dr James Mooney:  an individual intimate experience which used multiple sound devises, light, objects and wireless headphone technologies to shift our perceptions of space.  Presented at stage@leeds and the international conference: Digital Resources in Humanities and Arts, DRHA (2010), Brunel University. 

Beacons (2009) by Yvon Bonenfant. Working as video artist during a 5 week residency at EMPAC (Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center), Troy, New York. The piece used multi-screen projection and textural imagery to capture moments of distance, longing and loss. The performance has since been showing at Central School of Speech and Drama (2010) and is planned to tour the UK in 2011/12.  http://www.yvonbonenfant.com/?p=54

An Illustrated History of Longing (2009) devised and created in Athens over a period of three months this project was a collaboration with dancers and artists from the Athens School of Fine Art. The final presentation was an immersive performance which ran for 3 weeks in a converted basement at BIOS, Athens.

For more information on these projects please visit www.davidshearing.com

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Presentations

Using the VLE to support Creative Discovery and Learning: Dream/Play a case study. (presenter and co-author Scott Palmer), Digitalis, University of Leeds (2010)

Conscious Landscapes: make sense of immersive performance environments. (presenter), Digital Resources in Arts and Humanities: Sensual Technologies: Collaborative Practices of Interdisciplinary, Brunel University (2010)

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Education and Career


Education

2009-                          Research Associate Scenography - University of Leeds

2008-2009                 MA Performance Design and Practice -Central Saint Martin’s

2002-2005                 BA (Hons) Performing Arts (First Class) - University of Winchester

Career

2005 -                          Company Director - The Blueprint Project

2007-2009                  Southbank Centre – Visitor Services






Images:

VOID (2010) Image David Shearing

VOID (2010) Image David Shearing

Beacons (2009) Image David Shearing

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