Sebastien Oliveros-Tavares

Bio

Raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. Educated at East Carolina University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts Theatrical Design & Production with a minor in Studio Arts. Since 2014, Sebastien has been returning to Shepherdstown, West Virginia every summer to help develop productions of new plays at the Contemporary American Theatre Festival. From 2017-2018, he also taught at the Shenandoah Conservatory, where he obtained regional design credit. Sebastien has designed plays from university productions to US premieres. Currently, Sebastien freelances as an assistant for renowned set designers in the city, painting scenery for theaters and production firms, and exploring the production realm that is within New York.

Artist Statement

My creative approach—no matter the medium—is to find points of tension behind the idea I’ve been assigned or am interested in. I do several iterations on each point and usually end up refining the one I find most controversial.

Process

For me, controversy isn’t about instigation, but rather, a way to arrest your audience. It’s a way to plant a little bit of desire in their hearts; a yearning to turn the page and learn more about your idea. Ultimately, it’s about creating memorable images.