NEW YORK – Springboard to Design (SB2D), the tuition-free theatre design program for students from underrepresented communities, today announced additional Tony Award-winning guest artists joining its 2026 roster, alongside the opening of applications for three upcoming programs.
Presented by Design Action and led by Tony Award-winning designers Clint Ramos and David Zinn, the weeklong SB2D Summer Program introduces high school students to the disciplines of theatre design through workshops, backstage experiences, and conversations with working professionals across the industry.
Additional guest artists include Tony Award-winning scenic designer Mimi Lien, who will lead a workshop about design in non-theatre industries, as well as Buist Bickley and Avara Hebert, who will lead a props design demonstration with examples from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, & Juliet, The Outsiders, Death Becomes Her, Moulin Rouge and more. Teresa Williams, Alejandro Fajardo, and G. Clausen will facilitate an interactive introduction to design concepts, Charles LaPointe and Rachael Geier will offer a behind-the-scenes look at hair design through a wig shop tour and demonstration, and Alejo Vietti will lead a deep-dive into costume design.
Students will experience productions from the perspective of professional designers through backstage conversations, post-show discussions, and exclusive access to the artists behind this season's productions. This year includes the Tony Award-winning Cats: The Jellicle Ball, followed by an exclusive conversation with part of the design team, including Nikiya Mathis, Diggle, Brittany Bland, and Adam Honoré.
“We’re immensely proud to bring together designers who are leaders in their field and deeply committed to fostering the next generation. Design grows through generosity, collaboration, and seeing possibility in someone before they see it in themselves. SB2D exists to give young artists that experience,” said Clint Ramos and David Zinn.
On July 1, SB2D opens applications for the 2027 SB2D Summer program and the SB2D Fellowship Program for high school students and emerging designers ages 18–25. The applications include a few short written responses, a brief video component, and samples of artwork. Students will be asked to provide the contact information for one reference. For more information on the applications, visit https://springboard2design.untap.us/
The SB2D Summer Program is a tuition-free, weeklong experience that empowers high school students from diverse communities to explore careers in theatre design through workshops, mentorship, and Broadway access. For many participants, the program represents their first opportunity to study theatre design in a professional environment, particularly for students from communities with limited arts education resources.
As SB2D continues to expand access to theatre design education, the organization is actively fundraising to support student participation and keep the program free for all accepted students. Donations directly support essentials including Broadway tickets, housing, meals, workshop materials, transportation, and tuition-free access to mentorship from leading theatre professionals. Supporters can contribute online at https://givebutter.com/Cs4A3U or by mailing a check to Producer Hub, 315 West 39th Street, Suite 103, New York, NY 10018. Please specify “Design Action: SB2D” in the memo line.
ABOUT DESIGN ACTION
Design Action is an intergenerational coalition of BIPOC and white designers working to end racial inequities in the North American Theater by confronting racism in our workplace and forging new pathways into the industry for rising designers of color.
ABOUT CLINT RAMOS
Clint Ramos is a Tony Award-winning creative director, designer, and producer. Most recently, he designed for Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City, and designed costumes for The Metropolitan Opera’s sold-out production of Tristan und Isolde. He produced Theater Group Asia’s sold-out production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, starring Lea Salonga, Arielle Jacobs and featuring a cast of Filipinos and Filipino Americans. Ramos serves as the Visual Director for Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City, where he reimagines the entire Lincoln Center campus each summer into a vibrant stage for more than 300 events that serve New York City’s diverse communities. He also serves as Artist-in-Residence at Lincoln Center.
Ramos was a lead producer of the groundbreaking Broadway musical Here Lies Love, and is currently the Producing Creative Director for Encores! at New York City Center, and producing Slanted Floors. As a designer, Ramos has created over 200 productions across theater, opera, and dance. His Broadway credits include Maybe Happy Ending, Eureka Day, Here Lies Love, KPOP and Slave Play.
ABOUT DAVID ZINN
Recent work on Broadway includes scenery for: Liberation, The Last 5 Years, Stereophonic, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, The Notebook, Kimberly Akimbo, Funny Girl and The Humans; scenery and costumes for Boys in the Band, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Fun Home, and costume design for Enemy of the People and A Doll’s House Part 2. Off-Broadway: Playwright’s Horizons, The Shed, Roundabout, MTC, NYTW, Lincoln Center Theater, 2nd Stage, and The Public. Also: A.C.T., A.R.T, Berkeley Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, Old Globe, and Steppenwolf. In London, he recently opened Here We Are at the National (set and costume design) and Stereophonic at the Duke of York’s. In Europe, he’s designed sets and costumes for the Berlin Staatsoper and at Theater Basel.
Zinn has received Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critic’s Circle, Hewes and Obie Awards for his work.