What shows or projects have you done with ETT?
Cougar (OTT), Testmatch (Ustinov, Bath)
Finish the sentence: Touring is important because…
We can reach a wider audience! Make our art and message as accessible as possible and open up opportunities to more people.
Where is home for you?
London
Where is your home away from home?
Anywhere green
Which city was your favourite to visit on tour with ETT?
Bath
Touring is important because we can reach a wider audience! Make our art and message as accessible as possible and open up opportunities to more people.
It's the perfect chance to explore and grow.
What’s your go-to recipe whilst on tour?
A hearty salad in a tupperware.
Which artist(s) do you most admire and why?
Most of the surrealists, particularly Dorothea Tanning. A woman in a patriarchal world telling.
What music inspires you?
Harry Nilsson – a master storyteller.
What image or video inspires you?
Images of light captured as if tangible inspire me.
What piece of writing or quote inspires you?
In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
What, for you, makes a good piece of art?
Peter Mumford once said “art is a decision making process” – if someone has decided to make art, and it means something to them, then it is good art.
What have been your career highlights so far?
Buggy Baby at the Yard was a special show. And meeting new collaborators and friends.
If you were cast away on a desert island, which 5 plays would you take with you and why?
Human Animals by Stef Smith – I saw it at the Royal Court and desperately need to re read it, The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez – endless depth of character to keep the mind busy, X by Alistair McDowall – I saw it at the Royal Court and was deeply rumbled to my core, [blank] by Alice Birch – a show I lit and made me feel so deeply, A cast recording of Jesus Christ Superstar (if I’m allowed?!) – because despite it being Andrew Lloyd Webber, I love this musical
Please can you tell us what you would say to emerging artists to encourage them to take their work on the road or join an ETT tour?
It’s the perfect chance to explore and grow.
Window or aisle seat?
Aisle.
Favourite way to travel?
Train.
If you could have any superpower, which would you choose?
Huge white feather wings – I’ve always wanted to fly.
Our industry is currently experiencing an incredibly challenging time. Do you have any recommendations for others of how to stay hopeful and creative during this time?
Take time to zoom out, this will pass. I’m working with the ALD to create a sustainable future of the performace lighting industry. If you can, find something to work towards for when we’re back on our feet.
Take time to zoom out, this will pass. I'm working with the ALD to create a sustainable future of the performace lighting industry. If you can, find something to work towards for when we're back on our feet.
Jess Bernberg’s biog:
Jess Bernberg is a lighting designer based in London. She loves working with colour, new collaborations, the surreal, and sustainability is at the core of her work.
Further reading:
Website: www.jessbernberglighting.co.uk
