Transform Your Skills Term with Our Professional Set Design Masterclasses

Lucy Bellingham
Oct 30
3 min read

At We Teach Drama, we believe theatre education should go beyond performance — it should inspire curiosity, imagination, and creativity in every student. Over the past year, we’ve been thrilled to deliver our Set Design Masterclasses to Stagecoach Performing Arts schools across the UK, helping young people step into the world of professional theatre design.

These hands-on workshops guide students through the full creative process — from script analysis and sketching to constructing 3D model sets. Each session encourages students to think like storytellers, developing confidence and visual creativity along the way. Here are some sketches and set models created by the Further Stages students in Redditch, for the show 'Newsies':

🎨 What the Masterclasses Offer

Our Set Design Masterclasses are designed specifically for Stagecoach schools and fit perfectly into your Stagecoach weekly sessions.

For Further Stages: A three-hour creative workshop where students design, build, and present their own set model box inspired by a show of your choice.

For Main Stages: Three one-hour carousel workshops tailored for each stage group:

Stage 1: Create a mini backdrop
Stage 2: Build a moodboard
Stage 3: Construct a 3D scale model

We also offer:

Full Day Holiday Workshops – immersive one-day sessions exploring sketching, model-making, and design thinking.
Teacher Training & Resource Packages – everything Principals need to train their own teams to deliver the sessions in-house.

All workshops include materials, resources, and a digital social media and parent pack to help you promote the experience. Choose from themed workshops such as Into the Unknown, Under the Sea, Let’s Rock, or Pure Imagination. Here are some examples from our 'Pure Imagination' Masterclass with Evesham Main Stages students, who created a new room in Willy Wonka's Factory in just 50 minutes:

💬 What Principals and Teachers Are Saying

“Fantastic experience for our Further Stages students. They explored creativity in new ways and loved every second. Amazing opportunity to explore a different role in the performing arts industry. Lucy was so kind, helpful & engaging.”— Amber, Stagecoach Walsall

“The sessions were tailored perfectly for each age group. Every time I walked in, the concentration was palpable — totally inspiring!”— Catherine Tracey, Principal, Stagecoach Horsham

“It’s so good for Further Stages students to learn about completely different sides of performing arts — to see what goes into a production and explore new career paths.”— Sophie, Stagecoach Furthers Teacher

🎨 What Students Say

“I really liked how we were able to incorporate our actual show in the workshop and create ideas we can use when we put on the show. It opened my eyes to how set design can immerse the audience.”— Ava, 17, Stagecoach Woking

“I’ve learnt so much! I’m not usually crafty but stepped out of my comfort zone. I loved it!”— Molly, 15, Stagecoach Walsall

Students describe the sessions as “fun,” “creative,” and “eye-opening” — giving them a deeper appreciation for what goes into bringing a show to life.

🏆 Recognised for Creative Excellence

Our passion for design-led drama education was recognised when We Teach Drama won Outstanding Drama Education Resource at the 2023 Music and Drama Education Awards for our innovative design resources. This award celebrates our commitment to helping teachers and students explore every creative aspect of theatre — an ethos that underpins our Set Design Masterclasses.

🌟 A Showcase of Student Creativity

Across Stagecoach schools, students have produced stunning work — from Legally Blonde model boxes in Woking to School of Rock sets in Warwick and Matilda-inspired creations in Barnsley. Each design shows imagination, teamwork, and a love of storytelling that extends far beyond the stage.

🎥 Watch the Workshop in Action

See the creativity and energy of our workshops in this short video filmed at Stagecoach Woking, featuring professional designer Sam Beal and Stagecoach students in action: