Aby Cohen, an award-winning performance and exhibition designer, curator, and the current President of OISTAT—the International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians. With a career spanning from the vibrant cultural landscape of Brazil to her current work in the UK, Aby’s practice is deeply rooted in her heritage as a first-generation immigrant and a “third culture kid.” Her work frequently explores the concepts of borders, transparency, and the dialogue between the human body and space.

Beyond her international leadership and design projects, Aby is a dedicated educator. As a professor at the Academy of Live Technology, she guides the next generation of scenographers to think out of the box, encouraging them to find their own creative voice amidst an increasingly digital world. The conversation explores how a multicultural upbringing influences spatial design and delves into her provocative 2019 project, “The Body as Space Territory,” which offered eerie parallels to the pandemic world that followed. The episode also examines the role of OISTAT in bridging the East and West through theatrical collaboration and why Aby believes the industry must eventually prioritize the messy beauty of the artistic process over the pressure of a “fault-free” final product.

Throughout the discussion, Aby shares invaluable advice for emerging designers on the importance of networking and mastering one’s “inner world” before turning to software. She highlights the shift from hierarchical structures to horizontal collaboration, arguing that the best designs emerge when ownership is shared and boundaries are blurred. From the technical nuances of software like Resolume and Vectorworks to the philosophical pursuit of belonging, Aby offers a masterclass in how to design for a world that is constantly in motion.

Ep.87: Aby Cohen: Brazilian Designer, Curator, and Educator - “If we don’t have space for experimenting, we don’t transform” (Video)

April 13, 2026

Aby Cohen is a Brazilian designer, curator, and educator working across theatre, exhibitions, cinema, and other live events. PhD in Theatre Practice and Theory. Awarded the Prague Quadrennial 2011 Golden Triga as curator and designer of the Brazil National Exhibition. Active member of OISTAT since 2003, currently serving as President, re-elected for a second term: 2015–2029. Shaped by a multicultural, multilingual, and religiously diverse family of immigrants from Europe and the Middle East who rebuilt their lives in Brazil in the 1950s, Aby has long explored the themes of borders and territories—both geographic and symbolic—through her artistic practice and personal journey.

Credits for the StageLync Podcast

Hosts: Anna Robb
Editor: Rose Anne Fermocil
Music: Jeremy Willi
Design: Em Holt
Production Coordinator: Roselle Bernardo
Producers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis

Host: Anna Robb
Anna is the Executive Producer for Our Legacy Creations, a Global Live Entertainment Company and the CEO of StageLync.com. Originally from Australia, Anna's 23 year career in live entertainment has taken her around the world. Anna has created shows in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and in many countries across Asia. Always behind the scenes, Anna has been involved in the execution of some of the largest show creations in the world, including “The Beatles: LOVE” by Cirque du Soleil, and “The House of Dancing Water” in Macau. Anna holds a (BA) Honours degree in Design for Theatre and Television.