Design for Theatre and Live Performance

Transform empty stages into vivid new worlds — set a powerful scene that conjures emotions before a word’s been spoken, or a note’s been played. If you’re a visual storyteller with a love of live performance, and you’re looking to create lifelong memories for audiences around the world, you’ve found your perfect course.

You’ll live and breathe live performance, developing your skills and trademark style as a designer. Learn from tutors who’ve collaborated on some of the most visually spectacular productions in the world, from A-list concerts to Broadway musicals; complete an optional placement at venues like the RSC, and across London’s West End theatres. When employers are looking for new talent to bring their next gig, play, musical, or production to life, don’t just be an option — be their priority.

Whether you’re designing interactive environments for the theatre, puppetry or technical costumes, visually stunning stages for concerts and esports events, or dynamic virtual spaces in the metaverse, there are so many opportunities to apply your vision and creativity. The only limit is your own imagination!

Key features

• Gain hands-on industry experience: with the option of a year-long placement. Depending on its length, you could also earn an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice to enhance your employability.

• Work on real-world projects: Collaborate on real-world projects with organisations such as the National Theatre, the National Trust and Nottingham Playhouse. Gain valuable insight into professional practice and build industry experience as part of your course.

• Tailor your course to your goals: Define your creative direction through specialist project work. Whether you’re interested in set, lighting or immersive environments, you’ll shape your own pathway in theatre and live performance design.

• Gain practical skills: Fine-tune your practical skills in our on-site design workshop, as you become an expert in drawing, scenic arts, printmaking, model-making, laser cutting, and more.

Employability

Just as there are no limits to your creative skills, there are no restrictions on where you can apply them. There’ll always be an audience for what you can offer, and the opportunities to showcase your skills as a visual storyteller are constantly evolving.

Will you follow in the footsteps of our recent graduates, who’ve gone on to work for the English National Opera, as model-makers for Cameron Mackintosh, design associates for Es Devlin, and design assistants at the RSC? Maybe you’ll turn your talents to the next generation of esports events or create immersive new worlds in the metaverse.

Along the way (and for up to three years after your course finishes), you’ll have the support of our friendly, award-winning Employability experts. Once you’ve graduated, your professional pathways could include:

• Set Designer: specialising in designing sets for different performance mediums, including opera or dance

• Event Designer: designing the layout and aesthetics of events, including corporate functions and weddings

• Design Assistant: working as a model-maker and draftsperson in a theatre designer’s studio

• Costume Designer: focusing on clothing and accessories for stage and screen productions

• Production Designer: working in film or television to create the overall visual style of a project

• Props Master: managing the acquisition and creation of props used in productions

• Art Director: overseeing the artistic aspects of a project, often in advertising, film, or television

• Exhibit Designer: creating engaging displays for museums or galleries

• Festival Decor: designing and making for international arts festivals

• Theatre Educator: teaching design principles and techniques in schools or community programmes.

[Year One]

• Skills Passport for Performance (20 credit points)
• Introducing the Visual Narrative (40 credit points)
• Possibilities of Practice (40 credit points)
• Theatre Context (20 credit points)

[Year Two]

• Co Lab: Research, Exploration and Risk-taking (20 credit points)
• Exploration and Innovation (40 credit points)
• Industry Placement (40 credit points) OR; Audience and Live Practice (40 credit points)
• Optional module - You will also choose one 20-credit module from:
  3D Materials and Exploration
  Storyboarding
  Millinery: Object and Narrative
  Model Making: Object and Narrative
  Performance for Motion Capture
  Live Art / Collisions
  Virtual Production
  Prop Making

[Final year]

• Live Performance Collaboration (40 credit points)
• Major Project - Live Performance Design (60 credit points)
• Professional Futures - Live Performance Design (20 credit points)