Anna is an alumnus of the Victorian College of the Arts, Drama School (Bachelor of Dramatic Art: Production Design) and the University of Melbourne (Master of Curatorship) and is an active Set, Costume & Exhibition Designer. She is also a Lecturer of Design at the University of Melbourne.
She grapples with text, conjures-up worlds with directors, sketches by hand, renders on screen, models and drafts before presenting concise designs to production teams. Anna liaises diligently and comprehensively with workshops, wardrobes and technical departments to realize her work.
© Pia Johnson
She prizes her collaborative relationships.
While Opera, Theatre and Dance are her mainstay, Anna has a history with Installation and Public Art (White Night 2013), Visual Art (Brook Andrew 2007), Exhibition Design (Victor Hugo's Les Misérables: From Page to Stage 2014), Book illustration (Blue with Little White Stars 2005) and Major Events (Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games – Opening and Closing Ceremonies).
DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS
Lecturer in Design (Live Performance) for the Master of Production Design for Screen & Master of Design for Performance - The University of Melbourne, Faculty of the VCA & Music (2015-ongoing)
Recipient of the 2012 Kristian Fredrikson Memorial Scholarship, resulting in placements in Essen (Ruhe Triennial 2013), Berlin (Komische Oper) and London (The Warburg Institute).
Malthouse Artist in Residence (Set & Costume Design) 2009-2011 Creating work with the likes of Michael Kantor, Paul Jackson, Marion Potts, Richard Gill, Lucy Guerin, Gideon Obarzanek, Wesley Enoch, Geordie Brookman & Aidan Fennessy.
Assistant to Designer Daniel Dvořák at the National Theatre of Prague, Czech Republic.
Facilitation for Brook Andrew in The Hague Sculpture 2007 De Overkant/Downunder, The Netherlands.
Designer for Simon Barley (Bambuco) for various major festivals in France and the United Kingdom.
Anna was recipient of the Kristian Fredrikson Memorial Scholarship for Design in the Performing Arts (2012), John Vickery Scholarship (2003) & the Australian Student's Prize (2000).
Anna is a six-time Green Room Award nominee and the twice Recipient for Best Design, Major Companies (2012 & 2013) and both a Helpmann Award and Sydney Theatre Award nominee.
Anna Cordingley and Scenic Artist Shane Dunn talk about bringing Craig Silvey's fictional town of Corrigan to life from page to stage (Melbourne Theatre Company's Jasper Jones by Kate Mulvany, directed by Sam Strong, 2016)