Set Design for Theatre

Workshop: Set Design for Theatre
Tutor: Liam Doona
Venue: Jerome Hynes Theatre, National Opera House
Time: May 3rd, 10am-4pm
Fee: €50 (including lunch)

This practical workshop for theatre practitioners is part of a series of multi-disciplinary professional development workshops, hosted by Four Rivers theatre company, throughout 2026.

The Scene is Set: A day of exploration and investigation into approaches to set design for theatre.

Working closely with director and script the job of the set designer is to establish the visual world of the play; to materialise the time, place, atmosphere and intention of the piece.

This one-day workshop aims to creatively unpack this role; exploring the relationship between the designer, the text and the director and considering alternative collaborative approaches and methods - helping participants to question and develop their own practice and perhaps better understand some of the sources and experiments which have shaped contemporary stage design.

The workshop is aimed at all theatre practitioners seeking to develop and extend their visual understanding of theatre – it includes practical design exercises, approaches to reading the script, exploring key pioneers and practitioners and developing team working and collaborative skills.

Liam is a theatre designer and educator. Currently Head of Production Design (Set Design) at the National Film School, Dun Laoghaire.  Liam has designed extensively in Ireland and the UK. His credits include designs for Wexford Festival Opera, The Abbey and a range of other Irish and UK companies.

Liam’s research work on theatre design history and practice can be found  in a number of publications including A Reader in Scenography ( Routledge), Designers Shakespeare ( Routledge ) and Behind the Curtain,  Maurice Sendak’s Design for Opera  ( Morgan Library Publications).