Springboard to Design Reveals Guest Artists for 2026 Summer Program
Students will learn from Tony Award-winning scenic designer Donyale Werle, Projection designer Caite Hevner and more.
Springboard to Design (SB2D), the tuition-free theatre design program for students from underrepresented communities, has unveiled an exclusive first look at its 2026 Summer Program, announcing the first wave of award-winning guest artists, industry experiences, and Broadway programming that will shape this year’s week in New York City. During the weeklong New York City program, students will work alongside celebrated theatre designers and creative leaders while attending Broadway and off-Broadway productions, participating in hands-on workshops, and exploring careers in theatre design.
Presented by Design Action and led by Tony Award-winning designers Clint Ramos and David Zinn, the SB2D Summer Program introduces high school students to the disciplines of theatre design through workshops, backstage experiences, and conversations with working professionals across the industry.
Throughout the week, students will learn directly from an extraordinary roster of guest artists, including Tony Award-winning scenic designer Donyale Werle, who will lead a model box workshop that is a favorite of the students each year. Projection designer Caite Hevner —founder of a design studio which is dedicated to hiring women and nonbinary artists— will guide students through the storytelling possibilities of projection design, while sound designer Justin Ellington and lighting designers Clifton Taylor and Amara McNeil will lead hands-on explorations of sound and lighting design.
The program will also feature collaborative conversations and career-focused sessions with creative leaders across the industry, including Brown University professor Sophia Skiles and Lincoln Center Line Producer Frankie Charles. Additional workshops and introductions to theatrical design disciplines will be led by a diverse group of working artists across scenic, lighting, and production design.
As part of the immersive experience, students will attend Broadway or off-Broadway performances throughout the program, giving them the opportunity to experience theatre from both the audience and design perspectives. This year’s lineup includes Ragtime at Lincoln Center, which recently earned 11 Tony Award nominations, alongside additional productions and post-show conversations with theatre artists.
Students will also participate in exclusive behind-the-scenes industry experiences, including a Costume Shop Tour at Tricorne Inc with Kathy Marshall, who worked on productions such as Wicked, CATS the Jellicle Ball, and costumes for a recent Chappell Roan performance. These experiences are designed to give students rare access to the creative processes, tools, and careers that shape live performance.
Additional collaborations, workshops, and guest artist announcements for the 2026 program will be revealed soon.
The SB2D Summer Program is a tuition-free, weeklong experience that empowers high school students from diverse communities to explore careers in theatre design through workshops, mentorship, and Broadway access. For many participants, the program represents their first opportunity to study theatre design in a professional environment, particularly for students from communities with limited arts education resources.
As SB2D continues to expand access to theatre design education, the organization is actively fundraising to support student participation and keep the program free for all accepted students. Donations directly support essentials including Broadway tickets, housing, meals, workshop materials, transportation, and tuition-free access to mentorship from leading theatre professionals. Supporters can contribute online at https://givebutter.com/Cs4A3U or by mailing a check to Producer Hub, 315 West 39th Street, Suite 103, New York, NY 10018. Please specify “Design Action: SB2D” in the memo line.
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