Meet the Creatives : Ella Butler

June 17, 2019

We chat with Ella Butler, costume and set designer for Girl in the Machine. 

What attracted you to Girl in the Machine?
I am always keen to work with Claudia Barrie. I admire the fresh unique perspective she brings to each play. She creates highly watchable, engaging theatre. I am really excited for what she can do for this play.

Claudia and I worked together on DNA ealrier in the year st KXT. Stef Smith is new to me but I am very keen to look at more of her work.

What do you think audiences can take away for Girl in the Machine?
It calls for a reflection on how dependent you are on technology. How far will the world go in advancing technology and will we have any choice in being part of this?

It’s a special insight into a relationship that might feel too close to home for many and how life but more so technology can keep us apart. Rather than keeping us connected, technology can make us more alone than we might want to admit.

What are you most excited about working on this production? 
The Black Box.
It is an intimate space (Lennox Theatre) with lots of potential from a design perspective.

What is your relationship with Western Sydney?
Western Sydney is home to some of my sourcing spots for set and costume.

ELLA BUTLER
Ella is a Sydney-based designer for theatre, film and live performance. With a detailed approach to framing, Ella strives to create liminal spaces that focus on feeling, association and mood. Ella’s recent credits include: as Designer: for Darlinghurst Theatre Company: LOVE; for The Hayes Theatre Co Neglected Musical: Big River; as Costume Designer: for Jungle Entertainment: 15 Minutes by Tim Minchin; and as Assistant Designer: for Griffin Theatre Company: The Feather in The Web. Ella recently styled Tim Minchin and his band for his return to the stage with the National Tour of ‘BACK’. Ella’s work in theatre has been received internationally after designing Enter the Underworld as part of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. Ella is a graduate from the National Institute of Dramatic Art with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Design for Performance).

GIRL IN THE MACHINE
20 – 29 June
Bookings:  https://nationaltheatreofparramatta.com.au/show/girl-in-the-machine/