Deepdive training at Leeds Playhouse

Award-winning set, costume and puppetry designer Rachel Canning will run a course on puppetry design and direction in June

Leeds Playhouse is hosting a series of free training sessions in June and July, offering artistic and practical deep-dives to people interested in a career in set and costume design, lighting design, sound design and composition, and puppetry design and direction. The sessions are for people aged 18 and over, based in West Yorkshire and the Leeds area.

Supported by leading arts charity the Jerwood Foundation, the sessions will introduce early-career theatre designers to the creation process within their chosen field, exploring ideas, design processes and presentations, and how designs work with and enhance other elements of theatre storytelling.

Amy Leach, who is deputy artistic director at the theatre, said: “Thanks to our funding partner Jerwood, in the last two years we have welcomed two, year-long resident designers, two three-month scenic workshop placements, an eight-week Introduction to design course and now four intensives with industry experts.

“It’s always a privilege to support local theatre designers and I'm constantly amazed by the depth and breadth of talent we have in our region. Scenic and costume design are a critical and under-supported part of the theatre-making process, which is why we’re always so excited to support early career designers.”

More info and application here