The ALPD Lumière Scheme 2026.
The ALPD are delighted to announce that we are now recruiting for our Design Lumière Scheme 2026. This year we are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Glyndebourne.
For more information about the history of the scheme please visit: The History of the Lumière Scheme.
Thank you to Glyndebourne, Chauvet, Christie Lites and all those who generously donated to the ALPD Christmas Fundraiser 2024 for making 2026’s Design Lumière Scheme possible.
ALPD Lumière Scheme: What is it?
Established in 2015, the ALPD Lumière Scheme is an industry-led initiative designed to foster talent, promote best practice, and enhance the quality of lighting design within the performing arts.
Aims of the ALPD Lumière Scheme
The primary aims of the ALPD Lumière Scheme are as follows:
● Nurturing emerging talent: To identify, support, and mentor aspiring lighting designers, providing them with practical experience, professional guidance, and networking opportunities.
● Promoting artistic excellence: To elevate the standard of lighting design by encouraging innovative approaches, technical proficiency, and a deep understanding of theatrical storytelling.
● Facilitating knowledge exchange: To create a platform for experienced professionals to share their expertise with the next generation, ensuring the support, continuity and evolution of the craft.
● Enhancing collaboration: To nurture a collaborative environment between lighting designers, directors, other creative team members, and technical crews, leading to more cohesive and impactful productions, which take into account restrictions posed by budget and building constraints.
● Advocating for the Profession: To raise the profile and recognition of lighting design as an essential and equal artistic discipline within the performing arts industry.
Part 1 - The Lumière Scheme at Glyndebourne
Repertory opera presents unique challenges and opportunities for lighting design due to its demanding schedule, rotating productions, limited rehearsal time and even more limited lighting time. Glyndebourne offers the Lumière the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in this process, whilst working with and learning from a highly experienced team in one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. Learning will be assisted by the following:
1. A dedicated professional mentor both during and after the Glyndebourne placement.
● Focus on adaptability
● Practical pre-production experience
● Post-production review
2. Skills development / On-the-Job Learning
● Efficient programming techniques
● Technical troubleshooting
● Understanding repertory constraints
3. Integrated production participation.
● Shadowing opportunities
● Design assistant roles
● Cross-departmental collaboration
4. Knowledge Sharing and Documentation.
● Best practice guidelines
● Case studies
● Peer-to-peer learning
5. Advocacy for Design Time and Resources.
● Highlighting the value of lighting design
● Promoting technical innovation
Part 2 – Lighting Designer Placements
Interspersed with time at Glyndebourne, the Lumière will be matched with a number of established lighting designers; assisting them both nationally and possibly internationally. Establishing what skills are required and strengthening these on a variety of productions.
Alongside this, each Lumière will receive a bespoke package of mentoring and support, a toolkit for how to survive and thrive as a lighting designer: anything from getting an agent and building a portfolio to navigating challenging situations. The Lumière may have the opportunity to take on associate lighting designer roles toward the end of their attachments.
Duties may Include:
- To assist with decision-making relevant to the production in the absence of the lighting designer.
- To assist lighting designers in the rehearsals where necessary.
- To contribute to show documentation including: Lightwright, Vectorworks, MLA alongside a production’s lighting team.
- Updating all show paperwork as and when changes are made in collaboration with a production’s lighting team.
- Preparation of followspot cue sheets and calling followspot cues during rehearsals where appropriate.
- Record blocking notes during rehearsals.
- Keep track and descriptions of lighting & Video cues.
- Record generic and moving light focuses alongside a production’s lighting team.
- Call generic focuses where appropriate.
- Any other duties associated with the role.
Am I eligible to apply?
We welcome Design Lumière applications from anyone who has a minimum of one year’s professional experience working in theatre (or a theatre related industry). Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications from those in full time education at the time of application.
The ALPD are committed to inclusivity and are actively encouraging applications from those who feel they are currently under-represented in the UK theatre industry. We would also like to encourage those who may have moved away from theatre for various reasons and want to return to the industry.
You do not need to be a member of the ALPD to apply for the Design Lumière Scheme.
Required Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Sufficient paid experience EITHER as a freelance lighting designer / assistant, OR as a lighting operator / technician / engineer in lighting design, OR demonstrable transferrable skills is required from applicants.
- A solid technical understanding of lighting and the production process.
- A strong commitment to developing a career as a lighting designer as demonstrated by work experience, previous design work, training or by other means.
- Experience of designing lighting for at least one show. This can include projects undertaken whilst in training or unpaid work. Candidates should be prepared to give details of any previous design work in application and if invited to interview.
- Experience of using CAD software: the minimum level required is to be able to draft an LX plan and update changes to an existing LX plan.
- An interest in building new collaborative relationships with creative peers.
Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Ability to work quickly and creatively, with an attention to detail.
- Basic knowledge of the UK theatre sector.
- A minimum of one year working professionally in the industry.
- Ability to follow a musical score.
How will I be funded for the duration of the scheme?
Details will be given at Interview Stage.
What are the Dates?
- Applications Close: 12th October 2025
- First Interview: On Zoom with a panel w/c 3rd November 2025
- Second Interview: At Glyndebourne w/c 22nd November 2025
- PART 1 Glyndebourne:
16th - 28th February (pre-production Production1)
9th - 13th March (pre-production Production2) these dates may shift slightly.
13th - 17th April (pre-production Production3)
18th May - 1st August - Glyndebourne Festival 2026
30th Nov - 5th Dec - Glyndebourne Christmas Concerts
Plus 1 x week for admin/ meetings etc across the duration of the placement.
- PART 2 Lighting Designer Placements: Working away with lighting designers: Interspersed with time at Glyndebourne. Exact projects dates TBC based on production schedules.
- Debrief meeting: Late 2026/Early 2027 depending on availability.
Please note that the successful applicant needs to be available for the dates outlined above.
How do I apply?
If you’d like to be considered for the Design Lumière Scheme 2026, please apply with the following:
- A CV with details of two referees.
- A covering letter OR video application (no longer than 3mins)
- An equal opportunities form.
In your application, please consider the following:
· Who are you? Why are you applying?
· What style or genre of productions are you interested in?
· Tell us about a production that has inspired you.
· What Design Experience you have.
· Let us know if you consider yourself to be from an under-represented background within the industry.
· Tell us anything else you think we should know about you.
Should you have any access requirements or need any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to apply for this role and/or attend an interview, please contact us.
Please email all applications to Lumiere@thealpd.org.uk with ‘Design Lumière 2026 – YOUR NAME’ in the subject line.
Written applications should be created in a PDF format. Please include your FULL name in any PDF file.
Video applications can also be sent to the same email address with the file labelled as “YOUR NAME Design Lumière 2026”.
Please email your equal opportunities form to office@thealpd.org.uk with ‘Design Lumière 2026 – YOUR NAME - EO’ in the subject line.
Closing Date for applications is 6PM on 12th October 2025.
The ALPD embrace and encourage diversity in many forms and are committed to inclusivity among our community members, including all members, associates and collaborators. We define diversity as people of different backgrounds, races, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, beliefs, religions, socio-economic statuses, and more, and inclusivity as an approach where we respect, welcome, encourage, and engage diverse perspectives. Our strength and success as an organisation is built on the foundation of a wide range of perspectives and experiences.
Thank you for your interest and we look forward to receiving your application.
To donate towards the Lumière Scheme, please visit our Donation Page.