Set & Costume Designer (A (little) Christmas Carol)
The team at Exeter Northcott Theatre are on the lookout for a brilliant, bold, and imaginative set and costume designer to help bring a brand-new festive production to life.
This Christmas, at our sister venue The Barnfield Theatre, we’re staging:
A (little) Christmas Carol
Written by Toby Hulse
With music by Julian Butler
A playful, inventive reimagining of the beloved classic for three actors, this adaptation has heart, humour, and a fresh theatrical spirit. Set in an old house on Dartmoor, the production invites a rich, atmospheric design that can shift between the cosy, the eerie, and the magical.
The show will run at approximately 60 minutes and is aimed at young children aged 3–8 and their families, inviting big imagination within an intimate theatrical experience.
The Opportunity
This is a chance to:
- Design a visually engaging and flexible world rooted in an old Dartmoor house
- Create costumes that support playful character transformation and storytelling
- Evoke atmosphere, mystery, and festive magic through inventive design
- Work closely with the director to realise a cohesive and exciting vision
We’re looking for a designer who is:
- Inventive and visually imaginative
- Excited by new writing and musical storytelling
- Passionate about creating accessible, high-quality theatre for young audiences
- A collaborative artist who thrives in a shared creative process
We are keen to employ someone for this role who is based in or has a meaningful connection to the South West of England (such as through birth, family connections or education).
Support & Collaboration
You won’t be doing this alone.
The successful candidate will receive:
- Support in developing the design alongside a skilled creative team
- Ongoing collaboration with the Northcott producing and technical teams
- Guidance and partnership from the Artistic Director of Exeter Northcott Theatre
We’re committed to creating an environment where bold ideas thrive, and where artists are supported to do their best work.
Why This Project?
Christmas at the Northcott is special – a time when we create work that brings people together, sparks joy, and leaves a lasting impression.
A (little) Christmas Carol is an opportunity to reimagine a timeless story through design that delights, surprises, and ignites young imaginations, all within the evocative setting of a Dartmoor home.
If you’re a designer with vision, flair, and a love of storytelling, we want to hear from you.
Come and help us make something unforgettable this Christmas.
Dates:
- Rehearsals: 23rd November – 9th December 2026
- Fit up: 9th December 2026
- Tech: 10th December – 11th December 2026
- Performances: 14th December – 29th December 2026
Fee:
£3,500 (to cover all prep, rehearsals, previews and show watches) plus applicable travel/expenses.
How to apply
As part of our commitment to inclusion we’re working to widen the pool of people who hear about vacancies at the theatre and make the process of applying for a job as straightforward as possible.
For this role we’re asking all candidates to click on the Apply Now link below and submit written and/or video/audio responses to the same three questions so you can tell us about yourself and why you’re the right person for this role:
- Tell us about yourself and why you want to work at the Northcott
- Tell us how your professional and lived experience makes you a great fit for this role
- Tell us what support you might need if we were to offer you this role
And then upload a copy of your latest CV.
If you would like the information in an alternative format, support in completing your application, or you would like an alternative way to make your application, please contact us at jobs@exeternorthcott.co.uk.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact northcottproductions@exeter.ac.uk.
Closing Date: Wednesday 20th May 2026 at 10am
Date of Interviews: Wednesday 3rd and Friday 4th June 2026 at the Northcott Theatre