Justin Nardella is a London based Set and Costume designer. He has collaborated with some of the theatre and entertainment industry’s leading professionals to bring stories to life on stage, screen and through events. He has been involved in shows around the globe, from award winning fringe productions to West End residencies and international tours.
Originally from Sydney Australia, Justin discovered his passion for theatre design through art, at Newtown High School for the Performing Arts. He went on to study at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts, Australia’s leading theatre University. This was the start of his dedication to a career in design, which now spans over a decade in the industry. Relocating to the UK in 2012, Justin became the international associate designer on Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical for six years. He has worked on productions with the English National Opera, The Old Vic, Comédie Française, Odeon and Théâtre des Champse-Élysées.
In addition to his many design credits Justin was the recipient of the inaugural Australian BMW Young Artists Award.
PROJECTS
IN DEVELOPMENT
ELIXIR OF LOVE
Dir. Jamie Manton / WATERPERRY OPERA FESTIVAL
DIALOGUE DES CARMÉLITES
Dir. Matthew Everhardt / ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE SCOTLAND
2020
SONGS FOR NOBODIES
Dir. Simon Phillips / AUSTRALIAN TOUR
WAR REQUIEM
Dir. Daniel Kramer • Des. Wolfgang Tillmans / NATIONAL KAOSHIUNG CENTRE FOR THE ARTS (ASSOCIATE)
2019
YOUTH WITHOUT GOD
Dir. Stephanie Morh / CORONET THEATRE
EUGENE ONEGIN
Dir. Jamie Manton / BUXTON FESTIVAL
SONGS FOR NOBODIES
Dir. Simon Phillips / AMBASSADOR'S THEATRE - WEST END
2018
ACIS & GALATEA
Dir. Sarah Tipple / ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA STUDIO-LIVE
THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK
Dir. Gemma Colclough / AUSTRALIAN TOUR
SONGS FOR NOBODY
Dir. Simon Phillips• WILTON'S MUSIC HALL
THE TAP PACK
Dir. Nigel Turner-Carroll / PEACOCK THEATRE
LA TRAVIATA
Dir. Deborah Warner / THEATRE DES CHAMPS-ELYSEES (Co-desigener)
WAR REQUIEM
Dir. Daniel Kramer Des. Wolfgang Tillmans / ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA (Design Associate)
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
Dir. Simon Phillips Des. Brian Thomson / AUSTRALIAN TOUR (Design Associate)
2017
THE LIFE
Dir. Michael Blakemore / SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE
THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK
Dir. Gemma Colclough / VAUDEVILLE - WEST END
LE GRAND MORT
Dir. Christopher Renshaw / TRAFALGAR STUDIOS
GIANNI SCHICCHI
Dir. Matthew Barclay / JIANGSU OPERA HOUSE
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
Dir. Simon Phillips Des. Brian Thomson / SOUTH AFRICA / HONG KONG
THE TESTAMENT OF MARY
Dir. Deborah Warner Des. Tom Pye / COMÉDIE FRANÇAISE & ODEN THEATRE (Design Associate)
IN THE DEPTHS OF DEAD LOVE
Dir. Gerrard McArthur / THE CORONET THEATRE
2016
THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK
Dir. Gemma Colclough / SHERMAN THEATRE
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
Dir. Simon Phillips Des. Brian Thomson / NEW ZEALAND
KING LEAR
Dir. Deborah Warner Des. Deborah Warner & Jean Kalman / THE OLD VIC (Design Associate)
TRISTAN AND ISOLDE
Dir. Daniel Kramer Des. Anish Kapoor / ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA (Design Associate)
MR INCREDIBLE
Dir. Sarah Meadows / VAULT FESTIVAL / EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL
WHERE DO LITTLE BIRDS GO
Dir. Sarah Meadows / OLD RED LION
MAYOR OF SOUTHWARK CHARITY BALL
Daniel Sparrow Productions • HILTON HOTEL LONDON BANKSIDE
2015
CASA VALENTINA
Dir. Luke Shepherd / SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE
WHERE DO LITTLE BIRDS GO?
Dir. Sarah Meadows / EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL / UK REGIONAL TOUR
LEGENDS
Dir. Christopher Renshaw / AUSTRALIAN TOUR
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT
Dir. Dean Bryant Des. Brian Thomson / NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES / UK TOUR (Design Associate)
SPOILERS
Dir. Brendan McDonall / IRIS FILM FESTIVAL
MLC COCKTAIL EVENT
brightyoungthings / MLC School
2014
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT
Dir. Simon Phillips Des. Brian Thomson / MADRID / SEOUL (Design Associate)
WHERE DO LITTLE BIRDS GO?
Dir. Sarah Meadows / CAMDEN PEOPLES THEATRE
2013
HANSEL AND GRETEL
Dir. Richard Pyros / BUSSEY BUILDING
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT
Dir. Simon Phillips Des. Brian Thomson / STOCKHOLM / UK TOUR (Design Associate)
2012
TENDER NAPALM
Dir. David Berthold / LA BOITE THEATRE & BRISBANE FESTIVAL
L'ORFEO CONCERT (MONTEVERDI)
AUSTRALIAN BRANDENBURG ORCHESTRA & BRISBANE FESTIVAL
CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION
Dir. Shannon Murphy / ENSEMBLE THEATRE
PORN CAKE
Dir. Shannon Murphy / GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY
MR CHICKEN GOES TO PARIS
NIDA Open Program Children's Production / PARADE THEATRE
EVERY SINGLE SATURDAY
Dir. Lisa Freshwater / GLEN STREET THEATRE
SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL HUB
brightyoungthings / SYDNEY TOWN HALL
JANE WILDE & GHD EXPO RUNWAY SHOWS
THOMSON STREET EVENT - SYDNEY HAIR EXPO
SHISEIDO 140 YEARS ANNIVERSARY
THOMSON STREET EVENT / SYDNEY MUSUEM OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS
CLOUD 9 MEDIA DINNER
brightyoungthings / SYDNEY
2011
SILENT DISCO
Dir. Lee Lewis / GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY
BEFORE AND AFTER
Dir. Cristabal Sved / SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY - NEXT STAGE
MEET IN BEIJING OPERA CONCERT
Dir. Matthew Barclay / BEIJING & OPERA AUSTRALIA
ANDY X
Dir. Jim Sharman / SUNDAY PICTURES
BRISBANE FESTIVAL SITE DESIGN
Spiegeltent, Santos Light Lounge, Under the Radar Stage and Bar
BRISBANE FESTIVAL
PRICELINE PAMPER PARLOUR
THOMSON STREET / MELBOURNE
BRISBANE FESTIVAL PROGRAM LAUNCH
Dir. Justin Nardella BRISBANE FESTIVAL
ODE TO NO ONE SEASON LAUNCH
brightyoungthings - SYDNEY
MOUNT GAY RUM TOURING BAR
THOMSON STREET - SYDNEY
COINTREAU TOURING BAR
THOMSON STREET - SYDNEY
2010
ENGINE
Dir. Julian Louis / NORPRA & LA BOITE THEATRE
MACBETH
Dir. Christopher Hurrell / DARLINGHURST THEATRE
GLACE CHASE in LAST NIGHT'S BEAUTY QUEEN
Dir. Christopher Hurrell / DARLINGHURST THEATRE
BRISBANE FESTIVAL OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATRE
BRISBANE FESTIVAL
BRISBANE FESTIVAL SITE DESIGNS
Spiegeltent, Under the Radar Stage and Bar
BRISBANE FESTIVAL
2009
BLISS
Dir. Shannon Murphy / DOWNSTAIRS BELVOIR
WHORE
Dir. Christopher Hurrell / DOWNSTAIRS BELVOIR
LADYBIRD
Dir. Lee Lewis / DOWNSTAIRS BELVOIR
THE SCARE MUSIC VIDEO "COULD BE BAD"
Dir. Tom Noakes / EMI
BENEFIT (Short)
Dir. Jakub Jacko / Des. Julio Himede (Art Director)
AUDI LIGHTHOUSE BUILDING LAUNCH
THOMSON STREET - SYDNEY