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Designer (Research & Development) - Hot Rain in Hackney, Alistair Charles Wilkinson

  •  London
  •  Â£50k+
  •  Part time
  •  Closes October 3, 2025
  •  Alistair Charles Wilkinson
  •  alistaircharleswilkinson@gmail.com
  • #Theatre

Description

Job Summary

Seeking a visionary designer for the early R&D of Hot Rain in Hackney, a queer-led, ACE-funded queer performance inquiry. £1,000 fee (5 days @ £200). Flexible dates from 17 Nov 2025. London-based (Elephant & Castle likely).

Job Description

Hot Rain in Hackney is a queer-led performance inquiry into love, grief, desire, trauma, and survival through the lens of chemsex culture. Rooted in lived experience, the project responds to an urgent but underrepresented public health crisis, reframing chemsex narratives with care, truth, and complexity.

The project combines theatre, community co-creation, and harm reduction, structured across four strands:

  • Research & Development - rehearsal/devising phases (Nov 2025 & Jan 2026).
  • Creative Recovery Labs - co-created sessions with LGBTQ+ service users.
  • Workshops - activity with health and community partners.
  • Harm Reduction Toolkit - a digital/print legacy resource.

We are seeking a visionary designer to collaborate during the early R&D. The performance will not be staged in a traditional theatre, but within an Airbnb-style domestic environment. Audiences will book into the space and experience the piece across multiple rooms (bedroom, kitchen, living room, etc.), with performers moving between them.

This is an exploratory role - focusing on concept mapping and exploratory scenography. Outputs may include:

  • Concept sketches, models, or mock-ups.
  • Mood boards and atmosphere designs.
  • Notes on audience flow, safety, and accessibility in non-traditional settings.
  • Attendance at some R&D rehearsals to test ideas live.

Fee: £1,000 (£200/day for 5 days, with potential increase at Lead Artist's discretion).

Dates: Flexible engagement from 17 Nov 2025 onwards.

Location: London (most likely Elephant & Castle).

Job Requirements

We're looking for a designer who is:

  • Excited by immersive/non-traditional work.
  • Sensitive to LGBTQ+ health, intimacy, and recovery themes.
  • Collaborative, flexible, and open to experimentation.
  • Experienced in creating early scenography concepts (sketches, mood boards, models).
  • Based in the UK or abroad (London presence preferred during R&D).

Job Responsibilities

  • Develop early design concepts for a domestic, multi-room immersive setting.
  • Produce sketches, mock-ups, or mood boards exploring atmosphere and spatial storytelling.
  • Consider audience flow, safety, and accessibility in a non-traditional venue.
  • Attend selected R&D rehearsals in London, collaborating with the Lead Artist and creative team.
  • Provide a short summary of findings to inform the project's next stage.

Useful Links

How to Apply

Please send:
• A short statement (max 300 words) on why this project interests you.
• A CV or short bio.
• A portfolio or examples of your design work (PDF or link).

Send to [email protected] by 03 October at midday.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal chat before appointment.

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