Young Designers
Young Designers is a 10-week course for young people aged 13-17 exploring how designers bring theatre to life.
What is Young Designers?
Young Designers is a 10-week course for young people aged 13-17. Sessions take place during term time; see below for the upcoming term dates.
Explore how designers bring theatre to life in our weekly introductory masterclasses! Guided by industry professionals, you’ll get hands-on experience in stage and scenic design, costume design, hair and make-up design, and work with elements of technical theatre.
This course will focus on design for live performance, and you’ll learn skills applicable to theatre, film, TV, live music, and other visual art forms. Working alongside Northern Stage creatives and associates, you will explore prop and model box making, mood boarding, and developing set ideas, as well as exploring the practical elements of costume making and observing demonstrations and discussing shows we have seen together.
You’ll work towards a mini exhibition at the end of the course to showcase your skills. No previous experience needed – just bring along your enthusiasm for creating!
What you’ll do
- Take part in introductory workshops about different areas of design in live performance
- Meet professional designers and artists working in the North East, learning about their approaches to designing for the stage
- Attend live performances with an opportunity to discuss what you’ve seen
- Meet and collaborate with other Young Designers
- Gain an insight into the process of designing in a professional setting
- Explore your own artistic voice, try new things and gain and practice transferable skills
- Curate your own mini exhibition at Northern Stage
When is it?
The dates for the upcoming Spring 2026 cohort are:
Monday 19th January, 5-7pm
Monday 26th January, 5-7pm
Monday 2nd February, 5-7pm
Monday 9th February, 5-7pm
Monday 23rd February, 5-7pm
Monday 2nd March, 5-7pm
Monday 9th March, 5-7pm
Monday 16th March, 5-7pm
23rd March, 5-7pm
30th March, 5-7pm
In addition to the session dates, there will be a show trip to see the performance of Noughts & Crosses on Tuesday 3rd March at 6pm.
Fee information
The cost of the course varies depending on your circumstances. We have created a payment scale (see below) to help you identify which fee is appropriate for you. Fees cover the cost of the 10 sessions as well as tickets to selected performances at Northern Stage as part of the programme.
Fees are required to be paid in advance of starting the course and more information about how to do this will follow if you are successfully selected to take part.
Standard fee: £150 (If you have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Discounted fee: £90 (If you do not have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Bursary places: FREE*
*Bursary places are limited and bursary applications from young people from a low-socioeconomic background, from the global majority or with a disability will be prioritised, in line with Northern Stage’s strategic priorities. As part of a bursary place, we can also support with the cost of travelling to and from sessions.
How to apply
Applications are now open for Young Designers starting in January 2026!
If you’re interested in taking part, please fill out an application form.
Applications close on 16th November and we will let you know if we can offer you a place as soon as possible following this date.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about taking part or know a young person who might be interested, you can get in touch with us using the details below.
Email – takepart@northernstage.co.uk
Telephone – 0191 242 7205