The Society of British Theatre Designers (SBTD), in partnership with Coventry University, is delighted to invite you to apply to participate as an Exhibitor in design | stage, our national exhibition celebrating contemporary performance design across the UK.
design | stage brings together creative and diverse work from across theatre, live performance, opera, dance, events, and related disciplines, offering a platform to showcase the breadth of design practice today.
Who can Apply
This opportunity is open to professional members of The Society of British Theatre Designers (SBTD), the Association of Sound Design and Production (ASDP), and the Association for Lighting Production and Design (ALPD).
What You Can Submit
You may submit professional productions realised between 2023 and 2027. Each Exhibitor will present:
– 1 production within the physical exhibition
– Up to 3 productions within the published catalogue
Please note that inclusion in the catalogue is contingent on participation in the physical exhibition.
About the Exhibition
design | stage will take place at the Delia Derbyshire Building, running from 15th February to 7th March 2027. Alongside the exhibition, a wider public programme including talks, workshops, and symposia, exploring current and future directions in performance design.
Exhibitors may also opt to be considered for The Designer Lens, and to contribute to Making Unmaking Remaking (MUR), a series of public-facing events led by Xristina Penna.
Exhibitor Contribution
A fee of £120 supports exhibition production, installation, venue costs, catalogue production, and marketing. Payment is made in two instalments, with further optional contributions available.
We are committed to accessibility and inclusion. A limited number of bursaries will be available for those for whom cost may be a barrier, and we encourage confidential enquiries.
How to Apply
Applications open on Friday 1st May and close at midnight on Sunday 12th July 2026. You can apply via the online form here.
Further information can also be found on the SBTD website.
What to Prepare
Before applying, please ensure you have:
A 150-word biography (third person)
A 150-word description per production (third person)
Full production and photo credits (including creatives, performers who appear in the photos, photographer)
A proposed list of 2D/3D exhibition items (with rough dimensions)
Your catalogue order quantity
Due to space constraints, you will also be asked to indicate whether you require 1 or 2 display boards for the production you will be exhibiting.
Key Dates for your Diary
Applications open: Friday 1st May 2026
Deadline: Sunday 12th July 2026
Exhibition: 15th February – 7th March 2027
Installation period begins from 8th February 2027
Join us in Coventry to celebrate, reflect, and shape the future of design for performance.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss your application, please contact:
Dana Pinto – Curator; exhibitions@sbtd.org.uk
Lexa Kirity – design | stage Administrator; designstage@sbtd.org.uk
We welcome and encourage you to take part in this exciting national platform and contribute to a collective snapshot of contemporary design practice.
design | stage is curated by Dana Pinto
for The Society of British Theatre Designers
