National Theatre Announces Search for 2016 Max Rayne Design Bursary Recipient

The National Theatre has launched the 2016 Max Rayne Design Bursary and is inviting applications from talented, young designers from across the UK.

Thanks to generous support from the Rayne Foundation, the Max Rayne Bursary seeks to broaden young designers' portfolios and provides unrivalled insight into the arts and cultural sector. The bursary showcases what it means to be a designer in one of the world's busiest and most successful theatres and offers a detailed overview of how large arts organisations operate. The successful recipient will widen and strengthen their industry networks, placing individuals in a strong position to gain long-term employment following the completion of their placement.

Paul Handley, Head of Production at the National Theatre said: "The NT's Max Rayne Design Bursary is an excellent opportunity for a talented young designer to join the National and gain in-depth experience of the design and production process, working closely with a broad range of award-winning, world-class designers."

In December 2015 the National Theatre appointed its first Max Rayne Design Bursary recipient, Jacob Hughes, from a wide pool of gifted designers. Jacob has since gone on to work on a diversity of plays at the National Theatre, working with designer Ben Stones on The Suicide and supporting award-winning designer Bunny Christie on The Red Barn.

Beyond main stage productions, Jacob's bursary year has seen him work on varied design opportunities and flagship projects for departments across the National Theatre. Jacob successfully designed a show for New Views, a nationwide writing programme for 15-19 year olds that encourages young people to write their own plays with the winner seeing their play staged with professional creative and technical teams and a professional Acting Company. Jacob also designed a project for the New Work department based on Krapp's Last Tape, which had a scratch performance directed by Lyndsey Turner, one of the industry's most revered directors.

Jacob said: "Bursaries like this are integral to helping young designers reach that next step in their careers. In an industry with fewer and fewer opportunities, this type of support is vital in providing an avenue into the industry that otherwise wouldn't be there. It's a huge privilege to be the first recipient of this award and I have already gained a wealth of knowledge from the National Theatre. Simply being able to work with directors such as Lyndsey Turner and Rufus Norris and learn from designers like Bunny Christie and Hildegard Bechtler has been so enriching and transformative that I can't wait to utilise my newfound knowledge in 2017."

Jacob's experience at the NT has significantly expanded his understanding and awareness of the industry. Theatre designers Bunny Christie and Mark Thompson selected Jacob for the 2015 bursary following a competitive process which saw more than 250 young designers apply.

Applications for the National Theatre's Max Rayne 2016 Design Bursary are now open, to apply, go to: Production Design Assistant

The Max Rayne Design Bursary is part of the NT's aim to welcome a new and diverse generation of theatre professionals into our workforce, who, following their time at the NT can use what they learn to benefit theatre at large. As part of this programme we are also delighted to be advertising for the brand new position of Production Design Assistant for 2016, which is generously supported by Liz & Simon Dingemans. For further details, go to: Design Studio Assistant.

Photo credit: Atri Banerjee