STAGE DESIGN / John Malkovich Open Talk FOR CITF

At the CITF Festival, where ideas collide and creativity knows no bounds, the spotlight shone not only on the stage but also on the very ground beneath it. For this occasion, our studio had the privilege of designing a piece that would serve as the heart of the stage during an open talk with John Malkovich at THOC Theatre.

Stage design is where imagination takes physical form, a space where storytelling transcends words and becomes something you can walk through, sit on, or even touch. It’s more than just a backdrop, it’s the silent narrative that frames every moment. A well-crafted stage design pulls you into its world, guiding the eye with seamless lines, bold shapes, and purposeful textures. It’s the architecture of the imagination, shaping how an audience experiences the story and lingers in their memory long after the curtain falls.

The sofa, with its modular nature, allowed for dynamic seating arrangements, creating an atmosphere of openness and intimacy, as the audience gathered to listen to Malkovich’s thoughts. The sleek mirrored finish added an almost dreamlike quality to the room, a nod to the transformative power of art and conversation. It became a silent companion to the dialogue—a symbol of how design and storytelling intertwine. Its round shapes mirrored the cyclical nature of the moon, much like the cyclical dance between actor and audience, artist and creation.

When the talk ended, the audience dispersed, but the memory of that shimmering sofa, its moonlit shapes and silvery glow remained. It had been a silent participant in the conversation, a piece of art that spoke without words, capturing the spirit of the night and the essence of our studio’s vision: to create spaces where stories, ideas, and design come together in perfect harmony.

Team: Christina Petrou, Maria Loucaidou