📸 Ben Wulf Photography
Theatre and art have been a huge part of Raphaella's life having grown up in a family of artists. She learned to read music and dance as a toddler, sparking a lifelong passion for the performing arts. She also enjoyed experimenting with various art mediums, most notably becoming the youngest exhibitor at the Royal Photographic Society's International Exhibition, aged 9.
Raphaella began her training studying musical theatre. During this time she performed in a variety of productions, acted as assistant musical director on two college productions and devised and performed a short piece at the RSC's AGM in 2015. She especially enjoys musicals, opera and Shakespeare's plays, with music being a strong influence in her design process.Â
Theatre Design encompasses all that Raphaella loves, combining her former training with her love of art and design. In 2022, she graduated from Wimbledon College of Arts (UAL) with First Class Honours in Theatre Design. During her studies she designed for the Lyric Hammersmith's Evolution Festival and, in her final term, began her first design assistant role. She has since assisted a variety of designers on a range of work from plays such as Es and Flo (Kiln/Wales Millenium Centre) and Strike! (Southwark Playhouse), to music performances for artists Megan Thee Stallion and Anne-Marie. In 2023, Raphaella designed Birthright (TC Murray) for the Finborough Theatre, for which she recieved an Off West End Award (Offie) Nomination. That winter she joined St Paul's School for a one year design residency during which she designed set and costume for the three main school productions.
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A keen model maker, Raphaella has a strong eye for detail. From wood to wool, she loves to challenge herself with varied materials, going the extra mile to create recognisable and accurate miniatures. This filters through to her technical drawing, a skill essential to her process. Enjoying both hand and digital draughting, she is proficient in Rhino 3D, Vectorworks and SkecthUp.Â
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As a designer, audiences are at the heart of Raphaella's work, where she aims to represent and envelop the people it is for. Leaving no stone unturned, she enjoys connecting with communities to better understand her subject, while her research digs far and wide. With a focus on poignant moments within a piece, she loves to create escapism and spread positivty and hope through her designs. In line with this, sustainability is a huge consideration throughout every stage of her work. Raphaella aims to show audiences and makers that great things can be achieved with found and reused materials.
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Outside of the arts, Raphaella is a cat mum and animal lover. She's also a keen runner and has completed two half marathons.