Young Designers
Young Designers is a 10-week course for young people aged 13-17 exploring how designers bring theatre to life. Sessions take place on a Tuesday from 5-7pm during term time
What is Young Designers?
Young Designers is a 10-week course for young people aged 13-17. Sessions take place on a Tuesday from 5-7pm during term time.
Explore how designers bring theatre to life in our weekly masterclasses! Guided by industry professionals, you’ll get hands-on experience in stage and scenic design, costume design, hair and make-up, sound design and lighting/AV.
This course will be focused on design for live performance, and you’ll learn skills which apply to theatre, film, TV, live music and other visual art forms.
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 Autumn 2025 cohort are:
Tuesday 2 September, 5-7pm
Tuesday 9 September, 5-7pm
Tuesday 16 September, 5-7pm
Tuesday 23 September, 5-7pm
Tuesday 30 September, 5-7pm
Tuesday 7 October, 5-7pm
Tuesday 14 October, 5-7pm
Tuesday 21 October, 5-7pm
Tuesday 4 November, 5-7pm
Tuesday 11 November, 5-7pm
In addition to the session dates, there will be at least one show visit included, dates TBC.
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.
If you have the means to pay for the full value of the course
Standard fee: £150
If you do not have the means to pay for the full value of the course
Discounted fee: £90
All sessions: 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 September 2025!
Please submit an application form here to apply for a place. Applications close on Sunday 10th August.
Please note that due to demand, submitting an application form does not guarantee you will be offered a place on the group. We will contact you by 15th August to let you know if your application has been successful.
If you have any questions about the course, you can get in touch by emailing takepart@northernstage.co.uk or call us on 0191 242 7205.