Springboard to Design (SB2D), the powerhouse mentorship initiative presented by Design Action and helmed by Tony Award-winning designers Clint Ramos and David Zinn, has officially announced the launch of The Springboard to Design Fellowship Program — a year-long, tuition-free, virtual mentorship experience built for aspiring theatre designers from underrepresented backgrounds.

Aimed at high school students and emerging designers ages 18–25, the Fellowship pairs each participant with a working professional in their chosen discipline — set, costume, lighting, projection, sound, or make-up design — for direct mentorship, industry insight, and personalized creative feedback. Translation: real guidance, from real designers, on the real work Fellows want to make.

The program is fully virtual, meaning Fellows can plug in from anywhere in the world. That global reach is more than a logistical perk; it’s central to SB2D’s mission of expanding access to theatre design by building community, confidence, and craft for artists who have historically been locked out of the room.

SB2D draws its Fellowship Mentors from its remarkable roster of Guest Artists — a collective that has racked up 123 Tony Award nominations and 33 wins across design categories. In other words, the people grading your portfolio have probably designed a show you’ve obsessed over.

The inaugural Fellowship kicks off in the Fall of 2027 and runs through Spring 2028, structured around regular mentor meetings, cohort sessions, and workshops across the academic year.

“The Fellowship Program advances SB2D’s mission to expand access and opportunity for high school students and emerging designers through meaningful mentorship,” said Clint Ramos. “Each year, we hear from students around the world who are searching for access to this kind of creative guidance and artistic community, and we’re excited to provide education, mentorship, and hands-on exposure to the collaborative artistry at the heart of theatre design.”

David Zinn echoed the sentiment: “We’re proud to continue nurturing curiosity and helping young artists discover their creative voice through the Fellowship Program. Time and again, applicants reach out about how difficult it can be to find guidance and a community of peers who share their passion for theatre design, and this program helps create those opportunities and connections on a global scale.”

THE DETAILS

Program Dates: Fall 2027 – Spring 2028
Location: Virtual (internet, computer, microphone, and camera required)
Cost: Free — no tuition, no software fees, no supply costs beyond basic school materials
Eligibility: Underrepresented high school students and emerging designers ages 18–25. International applicants welcome.
Applications Open: July 1, 2026
Application Deadline: March 31, 2027

The application asks for a few short written responses, a brief introduction video, 2–3 samples of artwork, and one reference. A nonrefundable $25 application fee applies, with fee waivers available for any applicant for whom the cost is a barrier.

SB2D’s momentum is hard to ignore. The organization recently announced its 2026 summer program cohort after fielding more than 4,500 applications from 70 countries and territories — a jaw-dropping signal of just how hungry the next generation is for real pathways into theatre design. That summer program runs July 19–25 at The Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab inside The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in NYC, with free tuition, housing, and supplies included.

SB2D is currently fundraising toward a $50,000 goal to keep these programs free for students. Donations can be made at https://givebutter.com/Cs4A3U or by mailing a check to Producer Hub, 315 West 39th Street, Suite 103, New York, NY 10018, with “Design Action: SB2D” noted in the memo.

If you’re an emerging designer — or you know one — this is the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come around often. Mark the calendar, prep the portfolio, and head to SpringboardtoDesign.com for full application details when the window opens on July 1, 2026.