HUGH O'CONNOR
​ 
​Designer


​Hugh is a designer and creative director.  With an interest in work that is playful, theatrical and detailed, Hugh works across a breadth of mediums including theatre, dance, musicals, cabaret, experimental performance and events. 

Recent work includes: with Powerhouse Museum as the creative director for STEP INTO PARADISE, MARDI GRAS in collaboration with Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson; creating WHITNEY AND ME in collaboration with Lucas Jervies and Harriet Gillies at The Flying Brand/Brand X; with The Iconic, designing their 2019 Summer Show; and with Mecca Cosmetics, as art director for their multi-day event MECCALAND.  Hugh has designed Sydney Mardi Gras Floats for companies such as Qantas, SBS, L’Oréal, Vodaphone, Woolworths Group, ANZ, Instagram, and W Hotels.

Hugh has created designs for directors and choreographers including: Craig Baldwin, David Berthold, Richard Carroll, Lucas Jervies, Mark Kilmurry, Paige Rattray, Iain Sinclair, and Imara Savage.  

Design for theatre includes: ONCE, SILENT NIGHT, GOODWORKS, RIDE AND FOURPLAY, A LIFE IN THE THEATRE, DAYLIGHT SAVINGS (Darlinghurst Theatre Company); THE WITCHES (Griffin/Malthouse); THE FLICK, THE ALIENS, 4 MINUTES 12 SECONDS (Outhouse Theatre Co.); HIDDEN SYDNEY: THE GLITTERING MILE (Vivid Festival); THE ODD COUPLE, FOLK, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, NEVILLE’S ISLAND (Ensemble Theatre); WE ARE THE GHOSTS OF THE FUTURE (Art and About Sydney); GOD OF ISSAC, THE MAN IN THE ATTIC, MY NAME IS ASHER LEV (Moira Blumenthal Productions, Eternity Theatre); 4 MINUTES 12 SECONDS (Old Fitz); WE’LL BE GOOD PEOPLE, YOU’LL SEE (Crack Theatre Festival); 4000 MILES (Critical Stages); THE FANTASTICS (Hayes Theatre); A RIFF ON KEEF (Griffin Independent); THIS HOUSE IS MINE (Milk Crate Theatre); THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, COSI (La Boite); A DOLL’S HOUSE (Sport for Jove); and WOYZECK co-design with Elizabeth Gadsby, COSI, THE WITCHES (NIDA); and ZEROVILLE (The Anywhere Festival Parramatta). As assistant designer Hugh worked on ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD designed by Gabriella Tylesova, and BLACK IS THE NEW WHITE designed by Renee Mulder (Sydney Theatre Company).

Hugh was nominated for Best Set Design at the 2015 Sydney Theatre Awards for THE ALIENS for Outhouse Theatre Co.

Hugh holds a Bachelor of Design from NIDA. During his studies he received the Big Kahuna Imagineering Scholarship and the William Fletcher Scholarship. 

View Hugh’s designs at hughoconnordesign.com