Max Bowyer (He/Him), is a Set/Lighting designer & maker for live performance based in Naarm (Melbourne). With a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production) underhis belt, Max draws inspiration from the intricacies of space, human motivations,and innovative technology. His passion for live performance stems from the vital nature of storytelling, and his unwavering drive for world-building.

He was worked with and learnt from a range of creatives including Christina Smith, Dale Ferguson, Harriet Oxley, Andrew Bailey, Sophie Woodward, Jacob Battista and more.

Currently, Max is also employed as a Theatre Specialist with Schuler Shook Melbourne and CAD Drafter/Production Technician with Melbourne Theatre Company.

Additionally, he works as a freelance CAD Drafter, Design Realisor and Technician. With the ability to provide design services and support across all ranges of the creative process including 3D modelling (vectorworks, AutoCad & Unreal engine), technical drafting, model making, 3D printing, laser cutting, design realisation and more.

Awards & Recognition

2021

  • Baccarat - Selected for The International Online Theatre Festival (IOTF 2021) - Drama Schools Reimagine Category

Previous Work

2025

Design

  • Die Meistersinger von Nurnburg by Richard Wagner - Dir. Suzanne Chaundy - Design: Andrew Bailey - Melbourne Opera - The Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne - ASSOCIATE SET DESIGN

  • The Government Inspector - Dir. Belinda Annan - CO-SET DESIGN

2024

Design

  • Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Dir. Kate Millett - BK Opera - The Stables, Meatmarket - SET DESIGN

  • Puffs by Matt Cox - Dir. Cherie Hozynka - The Beckett, Malthouse Theatre - SET DESIGN

  • Norm & Ahmed by Alex Buzo with Rahda & Ryan by Nick Parsons - Dir. Nick Parsons - La Mama HQ - LIGHTING DESIGN

  • Gluttony by Nick Parr - Dir. Brett Cousins - Melbourne Food and Wine Festival w/ Red Stitch - Co SET AND COSTUME DESIGN - LIGHTING DESIGN

  • Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare - Dir. Belinda Annan - SET DESIGN

  • Laundry Shoot! by Dora Abraham - Dir. Keegan Bragg - Theatreworks - SET DESIGN

Other

  • Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf - Dir. Sarah Goodes - Design: Harriet Oxley - GWB Entertainment - CAD DRAFTING & DESIGN VISUALISATION

  • Converted! by Vic Zerbst - Dir. Hayden Tonazzi - Design: Savanna Wegman - ATYP - CAD DRAFTING & TECHNICAL DRAWING

  • And then there were none by Agatha Christie - Dir. Robyn Nevin - Design: Dale Ferguson - John Frost - CONCEPTUAL DRAFTING AND DESIGN VISUALISATION

  • Potus by Selinda Fillinger - Dir. Lee Lewis - Design: Christina Smith - Queensland Theatre Company - Model Making

2023

Design

  • OKAGE SAMA DE choreographed by Julie Ann Minaai - Immigration Museum - SET REALISATION

  • Frankenstein.. or the modern Prometheus, adapted from Mary Shelley’s original by Kathleen McBlair - The Beckett, Malthouse Theatre - SET DESIGN

  • Laundry Shoot by Dora Abraham - Dir. Keegan Bragg - La Mama HQ - SET DESIGN

  • Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring Cycle) by Richard Wagner - Dir. Suzanne Chaundy - Design: Andrew Bailey - Melbourne Opera Company - Ullumbarra Theatre, Bendigo - ASSOCIATE SET DESIGN

  • Inside Out by Maurial Spearim - Yirramboi Festival - Dir. Alkisti Pitsaki - The Tower, Malthouse Theatre - SET DESIGN

2022

Design

  • The Waste Land by T. S. Elliot - Dir. Kristen Von Bibra - November 2022 - Jacks Magazine - SET & LIGHTING DESIGN

  • The Consequence of Kindness by Kieran Gould-Dowen - Impending Storm Theatre Co. - Dir. Alistair Ward - October 2022 - - CO SET & COSTUME DESIGN

  • A Few Things That Happened On The Way To Now by Sophie McCrae - Melbourne Fringe - SET ADAPTATION

  • Voldemort: The Parody Musical - Salty Theatre Company - Dir. Miranda Middleton Original Design: Madeline Nibali - Adaptation: Grace Deacon - SET REALISATION

  • An Unseasonable Fall of Snow by Gary Henderson - Dir. Keegan Bragg - Martin Myer Arena - September 2022 - SET DESIGN

  • Fast Food by Morgan Rose - Red Stitch Theatre Co. - Dir. Bridget Balodis - May 2022 - Set & Costume Designer: Sophie Woodward - ASSISTANT SET & COSTUME DESIGNER & ASM

Other

  • And She Would Stand Like This - Antipodes Theatre Company - Dir. Margo Tanjutco - Design: Karine Larche - SET CONSTRUCTION

2021

Design

  • Chapter Seven - Choreographer: Danielle Micich - VCA Dance Co. 21 - Space 28, VCA - SET & COSTUME DESIGN

  • Cloud 9 – Dir. Maude Davey - VCA Acting Co. 21 - Grant Street Theatre - SET DESIGN

  • The Execution Will Not Be Televised – Dir. Kieran Gould-Dowen - Impending Storm Productions - The Loft, Chapel Off Chapel - SET DESIGN

  • Das Rheingold – Dir. Suzanne Chaundy - Design: Andrew Bailey - Melbourne Opera Company - The Regent Theatre - SET DESIGN ASSISTANT

  • Illumina - Concordis Chamber Choir - 1st ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & STAGING DESIGNER

Other

  • THEM - Dir. Bagryana Popov - Design: Lara Week - SET RE-CONSTRUCTION

  • The Cane - Dir. Kristin von Bibra - Design: Lara Week - Red Stitch Theatre - SET CONSTRUCTION

  • Enlightenment - Dir. Marcel Dorney - Design: Cherish Marrington - Elbow Room Theatre
    SET CONSTRUCTION

  • Tommy - Victoria Opera Company - MECHANIST

  • Lorelai - Victorian Opera Company - MECHANIST

  • Collingwood Yards Opening - First In Last Out - MECHANIST

2020

Design

  • Baccarat - Devised Theatre - The German Romantics - SET DESIGN

Other

  • Our House – Dir. Tyran Parke - Design: Arielle Vlahiotis - VCA Music Theatre Co. 20 - WORKSHOP LEADING HAND

2019

Design

  • Legally Blonde - Dir. Rebecca Cecil - UMMTA - SET DESIGN

Other

  • Punk Rock - Patalog Theatre Co. - FortyFive Downstairs - MECHANIST

  • Mad Forest - Dir. Sean Mee - Design: Chanal Makes - VCA Acting Co. 19 - SET CONSTRUCTION AND MECHANIST

  • On The Town - Dir. Tyran Parke - Design: Freya Allen - VCA Music Theatre Co 19. - SET CONSTRUCTION

2018

  • Decoration Day - Dir. Laura Thomas - SET REALISATION

 

Photo by Amanda Hitten @AmandaCarrCreative