Oliver Helf studied architecture at the University of Fine Arts Hamburg and fine art at Oxfordshire College of Art & Design. He then completed costume design studies under Dirk von Bodisco in Hamburg. During his studies, he was active in the independent dance and theatre scenes in Hamburg and Amsterdam, creating installations and performances. He earned his diploma for designing the premiere production of Jörn Arnecke’s opera “Butterfly Blues” at the Hamburg State Opera. Since 2008, Helf has worked freelance, designing sets and costumes for drama, opera, ballet, and dance both nationally and internationally. He has collaborated with directors including Stephan Kimmig, Nicolas Stemann, and Jakop Ahlbom. His work has been invited to the Berlin Theatertreffen, Heidelberger Stückemarkt, and nominated twice for the German Theatre Prize Der Faust. From 2013 to 2018, he served as head of design at the Deutsches Nationaltheater Weimar.