Who is Adam Gardnir?
Adam Gardnir is the set and costume designer behind MTC’s fabulous production Buyer and Cellar.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Nothing.
Who inspires you and why?
Paralympians. My first gig was on the Sydney Paralympic Ceremonies and there I met some of the strongest, bravest people on the planet. If you want to see some amazing sports and sportsmanship, forget the Olympics, go to the Paralympics. The triumphs are visible, audible, heartbreaking and unforgettable.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Make all public transport free. Bring kitchens to the street frontage of restaurants. Teach mental health in school like it’s important. Basically try anything that breaks down a perceived barrier.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
New York. There’s nothing you can’t do…
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
I’d probably invite more friends over and cook up a big feast for everyone. Food and conversation are everything and I have provider issues.
What are you currently reading?
The Secret River (I know, a decade late), Magda’s biography (she’s wonderful!) and perhaps a new script…
What are you currently listening to?
Look, it’s a bit teenage but I’ve got a crazy crush on James Bay.
Happiness is?
Anytime I have with my beautiful fiancé, producer/director/choreographer/dancer/all-round complex human Joseph Simons.
What does the future hold for you?
Our wedding!
Adam has designed MTC’s production of Buyer and Cellar, currently playing at the Fairfax, Arts Centre Melbourne until 12 December 2015. For more information, visit: www.mtc.com.au for details.
Since graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2003, Adam Gardnir has designed Into the Woods, Albert Herring, What Next?, Master Peter’s Puppet Show, Angelique, The Bear, and Rembrandt’s Wife for Victorian Opera; The Little Sweep and The Beggar’s Opera for OzOpera; Semele for the Australian Ballet; Walking with Dinosaurs World Tour; Moonshadow (Australian premiere); and Rolling Thunder Vietnam Australian tour.
Other credits include: Gypsy, The Producers, and Anything Goes for the Production Company; Saturn’s Return for Sydney Theatre Company; Love Me Tender, The Promise, and Paul for Belvoir; Die Winterreise, A View of Concrete, The Autobiography of Red, The Yellow Wallpaper, and Drink Pepsi Bitch! for Malthouse; Mercury Fur and Don’t Say the Words for Griffin; Spring Awakening for the Hayloft Project, and Grace for MTC.
The Eisteddfod for B-Sharp, Theatre Works and New York’s PS122, Volcano for Stuck Pigs Squealing; Virgins for the New York Music Theatre Festival; Know No Cure for Kuala Lumpur Actor’s Studio; Shirley Valentine and The Breath of Life (Australian Tour) for Hit Productions; and M2006, the Cultural Festival for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games (Helpmann Winner for Best Special Event).
In film, Adam has designed the feature The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Adam has been nominated for six Green Room Awards winning in 2011 for Angelique. He is the recipient of the VCA Dr. Ron Rosenove Travelling Scholarship, a Besen Family Scholarship at Malthouse and served on the Board of Directors for Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival.
Previously, Adam was Associate Producer at Blake Entertainment, Program Coordinator for White Night Melbourne, and is currently Producer – Performing Arts at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
Adam recently designed the set & costumes for MTC’s production of Buyer and Cellar, currently playing at the Fairfax, Arts Centre Melbourne until 12 December 2015. For more information, visit: www.mtc.com.au for details.
Image: Adam Gardnir – photo by Pia Johnson