Set & Costume Designer

Design the set & costumes for 12 performers for Ecstasy of the Virtues. This multisensory operatic performance is inspired by Nwando’s exploration of the life of Hildegard von Bingen, viewed from Nwando’s perspective as a Neurodivergent Afrofuturist. Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), Benedictine abbess, composer, visual artist, writer and mystic; not only a visionary, but also, uniquely for the time, a woman whose visions were recorded and preserved in musical scores, writings and illuminated manuscripts lives again in new form. Ecstasy of the Virtues will be a
75-minute performance inspired by Hildegard’s opera/mystery play Ordo Virtutum. It will feature 12 performers; singing & live instruments, spatialised electronic soundscapes, dance, and sculptural lighting and projections.

Rooted in creative accessibility, theatrical signing, creative captions, audio description and a ‘relaxed’ feel are all embedded into the piece rather than added on.

We’re looking for a designer who
has a distinctive style and inventive approach
has experience designing set and costumes for performance
is interested in integrating access into performance
is committed to working to Theatre Green Book baseline standard or above
would benefit from mentoring and career support (for any reason)

We value diverse perspectives and would like to receive applications from a broad range of artists, including disabled and neurodivergent people. We are committed to making these opportunities as inclusive and accessible as possible, including – but not only – by budgeting for access costs.

This opportunity is part of our Jerwood Opera Designer’s Award programme.