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, which runs twice each year.
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. Sessions are led by our experienced Northern Stage team, and you’ll work alongside guest artists and creatives working professionally in the region.
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!
The course runs twice each year and covers two different topics. Please note that the two terms are treated as separate courses, and you can take part in just one, or both!
September – December 2026: Set and Scenic Design
Learn the principles of building a world for a performance. Develop set ideas, create mood boards, build model boxes, try scenic painting and make props.
January – March 2027: Costume, hair and SFX makeup design.
Understand the principles of designing and sourcing costumes for performance. Develop costume ideas, create mood boards, observe demonstrations, experiment with different design techniques, build your own costumes, try your hand at special effects make up.
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 to be displayed at Northern Stage, complete with launch event
Young Designers is kindly supported by the Gillian Dickinson Trust.
When is it?
Group 1: Set and Scenic Design (Sept-Dec 2026)
Tuesday 22 September, 5-7pm
Tuesday 29 September, 5-7pm
Tuesday 6 October, 5-7pm
Tuesday 13 October, 5-7pm
Tuesday 20 October, 5-7pm
Tuesday 3 November, 5-7pm
Tuesday 10 November, 5-7pm
Tuesday 24 November, 5-7pm
Tuesday 1 December, 5-7pm
Tuesday 8 December, 5-7pm
In addition to the above session dates, there will be two visits to see shows at Northern Stage
Group 2: Costume, hair and SFX makeup design (Jan-Mar 2027)
Tuesday 22 September, 5-7pm
Tuesday 29 September, 5-7pm
Tuesday 6 October, 5-7pm
Tuesday 13 October, 5-7pm
Tuesday 20 October, 5-7pm
Tuesday 3 November, 5-7pm
Tuesday 10 November, 5-7pm
Tuesday 24 November, 5-7pm
Tuesday 1 December, 5-7pm
Tuesday 8 December, 5-7pm
In addition to the above session dates, there will be two visits to see shows at Northern Stage
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
Please submit an application form using the below links, depending on which part of the course you’re interested in.
Set and Scenic Design (Sep-Dec 2026)
Complete an application form here
Deadline to apply: Sunday 16 August
We will let you know if you’ve been successful by: Friday 21 August
Costume, hair and SFX makeup (Jan-Mar 2026)
Applications for this group will open in September 2026
If you would like us to let you know about future groups or similar activities, you can sign up to our mailing list and we’ll keep in touch about opportunities to get involved.