Sydney de Haan is a scenographer based in Pittsburgh and Atlanta whose work merges costume and scenic design to build cohesive, performance-driven worlds. Drawn to new work and devised theater, she thrives in collaborative processes that build from the ground up, guided by her belief that even when given nothing, anything can happen with the right team of people.

Her work is rooted in realism and historical influence, with a focus on how bodies, garments, and spaces interact in performance. She is particularly drawn to underrepresented stories, grounding them in specific cultural and material worlds, while also valuing the space for comedy and lightness.

Her research process is driven by direct engagement with visual art and material culture, with much of her work beginning in museum collections. Drawing from painting, sculpture, and historical objects, she develops designs that are deeply informed by the cultural and geographic context of each piece.

Alongside her costume and scenic work, Sydney has a strong foundation in props, with experience in sourcing, adapting, and building pieces to meet the needs of a production. She approaches props as essential storytelling tools, using them to support character, environment, and moments of transformation onstage.

Sydney currently serves as Assistant Props Supervisor at the Contemporary American Theater Festival, where she supports the development of new theatrical work. She is the recipient of the Barbra Anderson Mentorship Award, a peer-nominated honor recognizing her commitment to building strong artistic communities.

Recent credits include Hurricane Diane at Carnegie Mellon University and Much Ado About Golfing, a self produced site-specific reimagining of Much Ado About Nothing.