Set Designer Cover Letter: Example, Template + How to Write One in Australia

Ms Rebecca Thompson
Head of Production
Sydney Theatre Company
Pier 4, Hickson Road
Walsh Bay, NSW 2000

Dear Ms Thompson,

When I discovered that Sydney Theatre Company is seeking a Set Designer to create innovative scenic designs for main stage productions while collaborating with directors and creative teams to deliver visually compelling theatrical experiences, I recognized this was precisely the opportunity I’ve been working toward. As someone who worked as Set Designer at Griffin Theatre Company—designing sets for eight mainstage productions including contemporary Australian plays, international works, and new writing achieving outstanding critical reception with four Sydney Theatre Award nominations including Best Set Design win for “Neighbourhood Watch”, collaborating with directors, lighting designers, and costume designers throughout creative development process from initial concept through technical rehearsals ensuring cohesive visual storytelling and directorial vision realisation, managing design budgets averaging $45,000 per production sourcing materials, coordinating construction with workshop teams, and problem-solving technical challenges while maintaining artistic integrity and staying within financial parameters, creating detailed technical drawings, 3D models, and material specifications using AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Vectorworks communicating design intent to construction teams and enabling accurate builds, and mentoring two assistant designers providing guidance on research methods, drafting techniques, and professional practice supporting their development as emerging theatre practitioners—I’m thrilled at the prospect of combining theatrical design expertise and collaborative creative process for Australia’s premier theatre company.

Over the past six years as a Set Designer working throughout Sydney’s theatre, television, and events sectors, I’ve repeatedly delivered results that match perfectly with your needs. I’ve designed diverse scenic environments ranging from naturalistic interiors to abstract conceptual spaces across theatre productions, television commercials, corporate events, and music videos translating scripts and briefs into compelling visual narratives that enhanced storytelling and audience engagement, conducted comprehensive research including historical periods, architectural styles, cultural contexts, and visual references developing rich design concepts grounded in text analysis and directorial interpretation, collaborated effectively with creative teams including directors, producers, cinematographers, and technical departments participating in production meetings, presenting design concepts, and adapting designs based on feedback while maintaining artistic vision, managed complete design process from initial concept sketches through technical drawings, material specifications, model making, and construction supervision ensuring designs were buildable, safe, and achieved intended aesthetic within budget and timeline constraints, solved complex technical challenges including multi-level structures, automated scene changes, projection surfaces, and environmental effects working with engineers, riggers, and automation specialists to realise ambitious design concepts, and maintained awareness of emerging materials, construction techniques, and sustainable design practices incorporating eco-friendly solutions including recyclable materials, modular set pieces, and energy-efficient approaches where appropriate. My background spanning theatre design, technical drawing, materials knowledge, and collaborative creative process has shown me that exceptional set design merges artistic vision with practical execution—precisely what you require for producing world-class theatre that resonates with contemporary Australian audiences.

What really attracts me to Sydney Theatre Company is your commitment to bold, innovative productions that challenge audiences and your support for designers to take creative risks within collaborative artistic environment. I hold Bachelor of Design (Production Design) from National Institute of Dramatic Art achieving High Distinction average with specialisation in scenic design, completed professional development through Sydney Theatre Company Emerging Designers Programme, and regularly attend industry events through Live Performance Australia staying current with design trends and practices. I’m proficient with design software including AutoCAD, SketchUp, Vectorworks, Adobe Creative Suite, and Rhino 3D, experienced with traditional model-making techniques using foam core, balsa wood, and mixed media, and knowledgeable about theatrical rigging, scenic construction methods, materials properties, and workplace health and safety requirements for entertainment venues. One achievement I’m particularly proud of is designing set for “The Cherry Orchard” at Belvoir St Theatre where director wanted contemporary Australian setting that honoured Chekhov’s themes of loss and social change by researching declining regional Australian towns and colonial architecture, developing concept using deconstructed weatherboard homestead with exposed framing suggesting both physical and social decay, creating forced perspective elements that shifted audience perception throughout play’s three acts, sourcing reclaimed timber and vintage fixtures within tight $38,000 budget through creative salvage partnerships, and collaborating with lighting designer to integrate practical elements and projection surfaces into scenic structure, which received Sydney Morning Herald five-star review praising “haunting visual poetry that captures both specificity of place and universality of human displacement,” attracted 94% capacity audiences across six-week season, and earned Green Room Award nomination for Best Design demonstrating how thoughtful research and collaborative process create memorable theatrical experiences. I’m convinced that Set Designers aren’t merely decorators creating pretty backgrounds—we’re visual storytellers who translate narrative into three-dimensional space, collaborative artists who serve the text and directorial vision while bringing unique creative perspective, and practical problem-solvers who balance aesthetic ambition with technical feasibility and budgetary reality creating immersive environments that transport audiences and support powerful theatrical moments.

I’d welcome the chance to discuss how my proven ability to create visually striking, conceptually rich scenic designs while collaborating effectively with creative teams can contribute to Sydney Theatre Company’s artistic programme and reputation for excellence. Thank you for reviewing my application, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Kind regards,

Olivia Martinez
[email protected]
0427 891 234
linkedin.com/in/oliviamartinez-setdesign
Portfolio: oliviamartinezdesign.com