What exactly is the “History of Chairs” and why is it the name of a designer’s website? It began simply enough, 10 years ago while teaching an expansive course called “Period Styles and Décor”. Another professor referred to the course jokingly as the History of Chairs, and that’s what students began calling it.

During a career of teaching, talking about, and working in the entertainment industry, one truth remains; most characters and actors alike are simply looking for a comfortable place to sit. And why not? It reflects humankind’s eternal search for a place to rest.

The task for designers, cabinetmakers, upholsters, and tradesmen throughout history has been to imagine, create, innovate, and build new, different furnishings. The task has not changed much. So as a designer of modern scenery, it seems appropriate that one spend time studying, appreciating, exploring, and applying “The History of Chairs” to one’s work.

The hope is always that directors, other designers, actors, and dancers, will find such history useful as they develop new voices and movements in contemporary drama, and reimagine classical works.

It also seems important that as creators in the entertainment industry, we not get too bogged down or take ourselves too seriously. Each design offers a new opportunity for exploration, a sense of wonder and even whimsy. It’s so important in creative work to remain open to the universe around us; to find joy in our everyday exploration.