The ALPD Lumière Scheme

The ALPD Lumière Scheme 2027.

The Lumière Scheme 2027 is  now open for applications..

For more information about the history of the scheme please visit: The History of the Lumière Scheme.

Thank you to Glyndebourne,  and all those who generously support the Design Lumière Scheme.

Part 1 - The Lumière Scheme at Glyndebourne

Take your next step in lighting design

Already designing, assisting or working as a technician? Returning after a break? This could be your next step in lighting design.

The ALPD Design Lumière Scheme supports emerging lighting designers through practical experience, mentoring and opportunities to learn alongside established professionals. For 2027, the programme will include work on selected productions at Glyndebourne. We are also developing a programme of freelance designer placements, whose inclusion and extent will depend on funding.

Bring your experience, curiosity and ambition. You’ll contribute to real productions, learn from other designers and develop your own approach.

The Design Lumière Scheme is run by the Association for Lighting Production and Design in partnership with Glyndebourne Productions Ltd.

What are the opportunities? 

The programme combines practical production experience with opportunities to learn from established lighting designers. We’ll keep applicants informed as the programme takes shape, and explain its scope, dates and financial arrangements at interview.

Mentoring and support will reflect your experience and the skills you want to develop.

Part 1 — Glyndebourne Productions Ltd

Glyndebourne is a world renowned opera house in East Sussex. During its Festival, different productions share the stage, each with its own lighting design. This takes careful preparation, creative judgement and close teamwork.

You’ll see how designs move from preparation to the stage and are maintained in performance.

Working with lighting designers and the resident team, you’ll explore how lighting shapes the storytelling—and how different shows share equipment and a busy schedule, with limited time to light each one.

During this placement you will:

  • Take part in pre-production and the production process.

  • Shadow and assist lighting designers.

  • Work with other departments.

  • Receive support from a dedicated professional mentor, during and after your time at Glyndebourne.

You don’t need previous opera experience, but should you be considered for an interview we encourage you to explore Glyndebourne’s work and what you may like to learn from the placement.

Part 2 — Freelance designer placements subject to funding

We are working to secure funding for placements alongside established freelance lighting designers. These would offer an insight into freelance life: preparing for projects, building relationships and adapting to different venues and creative teams.

If this strand goes ahead, you would join established designers on UK productions of different scales and styles, building skills and professional relationships. The availability, length and timing of placements will depend on the funding secured.

These placements would provide a rare chance to step back from your own work and immerse yourself in another designer’s process: how ideas develop, how collaboration shapes them and why the designer makes particular choices.

Alongside supporting the production, you would have space to watch, listen, ask questions and reflect, seeing what changes in rehearsal and understanding the thinking behind the finished design.

If this strand goes ahead, opportunities may include:

  • Prepare and update lighting plans and paperwork.

  • Record blocking, lighting cues and focus information.

  • Prepare followspot cue sheets and call cues in rehearsal.

  • Assist in rehearsals and technical sessions.

  • Keep information accurate and up to date with the lighting team.

  • Call focuses and take on responsibility as your skills grow.

Responsibilities and support would be agreed for each placement, reflecting your experience. Depending on the placements available, there may also be opportunities to experience associate lighting designer work.

Who can apply?

Open to all ages. You don’t need a degree or ALPD membership.

You’ll need:

  • At least two years’ professional experience in theatre or a related industry, including design, assisting, technical work or relevant transferable skills.

  • A practical understanding of lighting and production.

  • At least one show you’ve designed. Training and unpaid projects count.

  • CAD skills to draw and update a lighting plan.

  • A commitment to developing as a lighting designer.

  • A willingness to collaborate, take feedback and try unfamiliar things.

Reading a musical score is useful, but not essential.

You must be available for the programme dates and cannot be in full-time education when you apply.

We welcome different routes into the profession, including career returners. We particularly encourage applicants whose backgrounds and experiences are under-represented in UK theatre.

Finance

Glyndebourne: You’ll be employed on a buyout contract covering a total of 16 weeks across the year, based on an average of 48 hours per week, including evenings and weekends. Pay will be based on the applicable National Living Wage. Accommodation and travel are not covered, so you’ll need to budget for these costs from your pay.  Please note that you are required to be available for ALL Glyndebourne dates in order to be considered for the Scheme.

ALPD freelance placements: Funding for this part of the programme is not yet secured. If placements can be offered, they will be paid, with the fee and any accommodation and travel support confirmed in advance. If this strand does not go ahead, the scheme will comprise the Glyndebourne placement only, with payment on the terms outlined above.

The scope of the 2027 programme, including the availability of freelance placements and the associated financial arrangements, will be explained at interview.

Programme dates

Applications close: 22 November 2026 at 6.00 pm

First interviews: 7–8 December 2026, online

Second interviews:  6–7 January 2027, at Glyndebourne

Scheme begins: February 2027.

Part 1 — Glyndebourne productions

The calendar lists the following production dates in 2027. (Weeks commencing). 

  • Idomeneo: 15th - 26th February inclusive; 26th April - 23rd May inclusive.

  • La Traviata: 30th March - 5th April inclusive; 7th - 27th June inclusive.

  • L’elisir d’amore 8th - 14th September inclusive; and 1st - 22nd October inclusive.

     

Part 2 — Freelance designer placements subject to funding

Freelance placement dates and duration are subject to funding and confirmation. The arrangements will be explained at interview.

Check the dates before applying. Get in touch with questions about availability or access.

How to apply – by 22nd November 6pm (GMT). 

Send us:

  • Your CV, including details of two referees.

  • A covering letter or a video of up to three minutes.

  • A separate equal opportunities form, sent to the email address below.

In your letter or video, tell us:

  • What experience you’d bring.

  • The skills you want to develop and what’s making that next step difficult.

  • What interests you about the Glyndebourne placement, and how working alongside freelance lighting designers might support your development.

  • A production that stayed with you, and why.

  • Something you’ve designed: your aims and what you learnt.

Help us understand what interests you, how you think and why this opportunity feels right now.

Right to work

Applicants must have the right to undertake the work described in the UK for the duration of their placements. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship. Any offer will be subject to satisfactory right-to-work checks.

Email your CV and letter or video to Lumiere@thealpd.org.uk, with the subject:

Design Lumière 2027 – YOUR NAME

Send written documents as PDFs with your full name in each filename. For videos, [confirm accepted file formats or link-sharing instructions].

Send your equal opportunities form separately to office@thealpd.org.uk, with the subject:

Design Lumière 2027 – YOUR NAME – EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The equal opportunities form helps us understand who we reach and improve access. It’s collected separately and isn’t part of selection.

Equal Opportunities Form

 

To donate towards the Lumière Scheme, please visit our Donation Page.