Springboard to Design Concludes 2026 Summer Program, Announces Plans for 2027

	SB2D students representing nine countries. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

The Springboard to Design (SB2D) Summer Program, the tuition-free theatre design mentorship and education program for students from underrepresented communities, concluded its record-breaking 2026 program after attracting more than 4,500 applicants from 70 countries and territories -- the largest response in the initiative's history. During the week-long intensive, students collaborated, created, and learned alongside many of Broadway's most accomplished designers.

Founded by Design Action and led by designers Clint Ramos and David Zinn, the immersive weeklong program brought together aspiring theatre designers for unparalleled access to Broadway artists, professional mentors, and behind-the-scenes experiences that introduced students to careers across scenic, costume, lighting, projection, sound, props, wigs, and production design.

Hosted at the Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center in New York City, the 2026 program combined hands-on workshops with career development, professional mentorship, and exclusive Broadway experiences.

Throughout the week, students built scenic model boxes with Tony Award-winner Donyale Werle; explored projection, lighting, props, sound, costume, and wig design through workshops led by acclaimed industry professionals; learned career advocacy and professional development from leaders across the theatre industry; and participated in conversations with the creative team behind CATS: The Jellicle Ball.

Students also gained unprecedented behind-the-scenes access through a costume shop visit at Tricorne, a professional wig shop demonstration, and a backstage tour of Ragtime. Their Broadway experiences included attending performances of Ragtime, Stranger Things, CATS: The Jellicle Ball, Spelling Bee, The Lost Boys, and A Walk on the Moon.

"One of the most exciting parts of the week is watching students realize that their ideas matter," say Ramos and Zinn. "By the end of the program, they're speaking the language of collaboration, taking creative risks, and seeing themselves as future designers. That's exactly what Springboard to Design was created to do."

"This was the best week of my life, and I don't know how it could get better. Not specifically the things we did but the feeling I had of feeling like I belonged somewhere," says a Springboard to Design student.

Building on the success of its summer intensive, Springboard to Design has launched a tuition-free fellowship program. Designed for high school students and emerging designers ages 18-25, the year-long virtual initiative will pair each fellow with a professional mentor in scenic, costume, lighting, projection, sound, or hair and makeup design, providing personalized guidance, industry insight, and creative feedback.

SB2D pulls fellowship mentors from its esteemed community of guest artists, who are among the industry's most celebrated designers. Fellows will be mentored by Springboard to Design guest artists, who are, collectively, the recipients of 123 Tony Award nominations and 33 Tony Awards.

The program will begin in the fall of 2027, running over the course of an academic year through Spring 2028, with regular mentor meetings, cohort sessions, and workshops scheduled throughout.

Applications are now open through March 31, 2027. For eligibility requirements and application information, visit Springboard2Design.untap.us.