Set Designer
At a Glance
- You design the physical world the story lives in. Concept through build through safe load-in.
- Your closest partners: Director (vision), Technical Director (build feasibility, safety), Light Designer (focal points, masking), Production Manager (budget, timeline).
- Key deliverables: ground plan, elevations, renderings, color palette, scenic build plan — handed off in time for the build calendar.
- Where you live in the process: Pre-Production (heaviest) and Pre-Tech; on call through Tech Week for installation, paint touch-ups, and safety sign-off.
- Phase responsibilities at the bottom: see By Phase.
Position Overview
The Set Designer plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual landscape of a production. Working closely with the Director and the broader design team, the Set Designer is responsible for conceptualizing, planning, and realizing the physical environments that support storytelling. This role demands both creative vision and technical expertise, with a deep commitment to Encore’s educational mission and the young artists we serve.
Reports to: Production Manager Collaborates closely with: Director, Stage Manager, and full design team
Ongoing Knowledge and Oversight
- Know the theatrical space you’re designing for — its strengths, limitations, and quirks.
- Maintain regular communication with Stage Management, the Director, and other production positions.
- Stay current on the budget, timelines, and production expectations.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of all other production positions.
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
- Strong creative vision with the ability to translate a director’s concept into physical space.
- Solid understanding of stage machinery, rigging, materials, and safety protocols.
- Excellent collaboration skills and ability to work within a defined production framework.
- Ability to work effectively with young artists while maintaining high production standards.
- Strong organizational and time management abilities to meet construction and design deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in scenic design, architecture, fine arts, or a related field.
- Experience with technical drafting or design software.
- Familiarity with theatrical construction techniques and scenic painting.
- Previous experience in a professional or community theatre context.
Working Conditions
- Work primarily during evenings and weekends to accommodate young artists’ schedules.
- Collaborative environment requiring close coordination with the full design and production team.
- Physical requirements include set construction, installation, and extended periods of standing during tech.
- Fast-paced during technical rehearsals, requiring adaptability and quick problem-solving.
Success Measures
- Set designs that serve the director’s vision and support clear visual storytelling.
- Construction and installation completed on schedule and within budget.
- Smooth integration of set elements during dry tech and tech rehearsals.
- Effective, professional collaboration with the Director, Stage Manager, and design team.
- Safe, functional, and well-maintained sets throughout the production run.
By Phase
Inception
Welcome to the Encore fam! Be sure to complete your onboarding items below — we look forward to building an incredible show that builds life skills through stage skills for young artists.
Onboarding
- Complete child safety training.
- Submit background check.
- Submit W-9.
- Sign and return contract.
- Complete onboarding process.
Initial Production Work
- Begin reviewing the script for scenic scope.
- Consider the venue’s physical realities.
- Attend the onboarding meeting with the full production team.
See 1 - Inception for the phase overview.
Pre-Production
- Obtain a script and develop thorough knowledge of the scene structure, physical needs of the show, and storytelling requirements — in collaboration with the Director.
- Participate in all production meetings.
- Obtain the production schedule and timeline from Stage Management or Production Manager.
- Map your schedule against the full production calendar, including rehearsals, tech week, key design milestones, designer run, dry tech, and opening night.
- Obtain the contact list and maintain communication with Stage Management, the Director, and fellow designers.
- Prepare a visual presentation of the set design to share with the creative team and ultimately the cast and crew.
Casting
- Light involvement.
See 3 - Casting for the phase overview.
Rehearsals
- Engage in and respect a harmonious, collaborative working environment.
- Present the set design to the cast (typically in the first week of rehearsal).
- Check and respond to the daily rehearsal report as needed.
- Continue attending production meetings and maintain ongoing communication with the production team.
Designer Run. The tech process begins at the designer run. Come in with a fully realized understanding of the design — how it works both from a storytelling perspective and in practical execution. This is your opportunity to identify and resolve issues before moving into the performance space.
The designer run should inspire greater specificity in the design and its function. It should always be followed by a production meeting where questions and discrepancies can be addressed.
See 4 - Rehearsals for the phase overview.
Pre-Tech
Pre-Tech is when all design elements should be installed and ready so Tech can integrate rather than build. See 5 - Pre-Tech for the full process and timeline.
- Sets should be built and ready to install.
- Any moving or complicated pieces should be tested and optimized.
- Basic painting and design details should be finished.
- Communicate any delayed elements to the Director and Stage Manager.
Dry Tech
Dry Tech runs the design team through cues with no actors or costumes yet — set moves, lights, sound, sets coordinating. See 5 - Pre-Tech for the full Dry Tech process.
- Coordinate with the Technical Director on load-in, install, and spike marks.
See 5 - Pre-Tech for the phase overview.
Technical Rehearsals
The Set Designer is responsible for ensuring the set is safe, functional, and serves the storytelling throughout tech.
- Install sets into the theater.
- Ensure moving or complicated elements are working as designed.
- Demonstrate how the set works to the full production team.
- Take notes on adjustments and implement fixes promptly.
- Attend post-tech production meetings at the Stage Manager’s discretion. Assume a meeting will occur after actors are released unless told otherwise.
- Continue close collaboration with the Director and Stage Manager.
- Attend tech to verify the set is functioning as designed and serving the staging.
- Attend production meetings.
See 6 - Technical Rehearsals for the phase overview.
Performance
The Set Designer’s primary work is complete once the production opens.
- Maintain the set both aesthetically and functionally for the duration of the run.
- Light involvement; available for repairs to set pieces.
See 7 - Performance for the phase overview.
Post-Production
- Supervise strike of scenic elements.
- Archive design materials and submit final reports/budgets.
See 8 - Post-Production for the phase overview.
Related
Status: Working · Portal: Team · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11 · Owner: Rhett