How I Got Here: Set, costume, and prop designer Angie Matsinos
Posted on
Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you want to know about the secrets of career success.
Angie Matsinos has worked in set, costume, and prop design for stage productions, large-scale events, and television with professional credits including ABC/Channel Nine favourite Hi‑5, the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony design team and (most recently) The Chosen Vessel by Dylan Van Den Berg, which opens at the Street Theatre on Saturday 9 August.
Here, find out how she got here.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a set designer who has recently returned to the field. Right now I’m working on the set for The Chosen Vessel at The Street Theatre, an incredible gothic adaptation of Barbara Baynton’s story by the Palawa playwright Dylan Van Den Berg, directed by Kalkadoon woman Abbie-Lee Lewis. Being invited to design for this production has been such a privilege. It’s allowed me to get back into that creative space I’ve always loved, the craft of set designing, the problem-solving, the visual storytelling, and working with a team to create spaces that bring a production to life.
Dylan’s adaptation of the play is incredible; his writing offers immense scope for imaginative design. Its poetic, non-linear structure invites layered, symbolic staging where space, light, and form can blur the boundaries between past and present, reality and spirit. This openness empowers the whole creative production team with an evocative visual language to amplify the play’s haunting themes of dislocation, memory, and resilience. I am not exaggerating, it’s truly not to be missed!
Let’s go back to when you were a kid, have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
I didn’t have a clear vision of working in set design as a kid, but I was always creating, drawing, and painting. My parents are both very artistic, so I grew up in a home where being creative was encouraged. It’s led to a life of always having some creative project on the go! I went on to study Creative Arts at Wollongong Uni with a major in Theatre Design. At the moment, I am undertaking a Masters in Teaching at CSU.
Tell us about when you were first starting out, what set a fire in your belly to get here and how did you do it?
Honestly, the fire in my belly is burning much brighter now I’m older. I really appreciate working alongside such a group of talented people on this project. I now realise that these opportunities don’t come along every day.
I have always loved solving problems, telling stories, and collaborating with other creatives to build something that works. It’s that mix of creative freedom and practical challenge that really motivates. These days, that fire has come back even stronger, being part of The Chosen Vessel has reminded me of how much I missed being part of that world. Also, seeing my daughter start out in film has sparked something in me too. I have been quite jealous! So it truly was great to be asked to work on this production.
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
There have been plenty of times when I’ve stepped back, not because I stopped loving the work, but because life pulled me in other directions. Balancing creative projects with raising a family, living regionally, and just finding the space and time can be challenging. There were times I thought maybe it just wasn’t practical anymore. But have recently reminded myself that creativity doesn’t go away, you can take a break and come back to it. The door stays open.
What was your biggest break?
Working on the Sydney 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony was definitely a career highlight. I was part of the team working under Donny Woolagoodja and designer Peter England to create the giant 30x30m Namarali Wandjina, which rose up during the Awakenings segment. It was surreal to be involved in something so big and culturally significant, an experience that has stayed with me.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Say yes! Even if it feels scary or you’re not sure if you’re ready, saying yes can take you places you didn’t expect.
What is it about your industry that you love and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
I love pulling apart a design and figuring out how it all fits together, working out the logistics, and then seeing it come to life on stage. There’s nothing like that moment when everything clicks and the audience steps into the world you’ve helped create. Also, the team I am currently working with, everyone is so enthusiastic and excited to be working on this project that it has been an absolute dream! Of course, the opposite can sometimes happen, but you can’t dwell on it!
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’, what media do you consume?
Mostly Instagram these days, and Southern Tableland Arts, they are a great way of staying connected to creative arts opportunities in the Palerang area.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I hope I’m still working on more projects like The Chosen Vessel. I want to keep collaborating and working on design projects that challenge me. I don’t need to be working on huge productions. I’m happy as long as I’m part of work that tells a story and means something. I would also love to be combining my teaching and theatre design skills to work with young people.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
I don’t know if they should follow my footsteps exactly! But if you’re someone who loves solving creative problems, working with a team, and seeing ideas tangibly come to life, then set design is incredibly rewarding. My path has had breaks and detours, and that’s okay; you can make it your own, following what felt right for me at the time.
What advice would you give your past self?
Don’t rush. The right opportunities will come when they’re meant to. And enjoy where you are at each stage, it all counts.
