Taking up space: Linbury Prize for Stage Design

As one of the recipients of the Linbury Prize – the only nationwide award for stage design – Ola Kłos is reflecting on what makes ‘good’ theatre and performance design. ‘You should talk about yourself as a person and about what makes you, you,’ she says. ‘The best designs are the ones done by people with a wide range of interests.’

Founded in 1987 by Anya Sainsbury, the Linbury Prize opens every two years to graduating designers – and this year, for the first time, it was also open to those who could demonstrate equivalent skills and experience, without the need for a degree. It offers 12 recipients the opportunity to work with some of the UK's leading theatre, opera and design companies, and to have their work exhibited at the National Theatre. So far it has helped to launch the careers of over 200 artists.