Scenic Designer / Entertainment Designer

We're looking for an experienced Scenic Designer / Entertainment Designer to help create scenic elements for The Arrival, a new large-scale arena Christmas production combining live performance, cinematic storytelling, acrobatics, martial arts, dance, and LED environments.

Think Broadway meets Cirque du Soleil meets cinematic filmmaking.

This is not a traditional theatre set. The production relies heavily on LED walls, projection, lighting, and practical scenic pieces that work together as one visual environment.

Project Overview:

The show plays on approximately a 60' wide x 40' deep arena end stage and features a large LED backdrop with additional LED elements integrated into the scenery.

We're looking for someone to design practical scenic pieces that frame and enhance the LED environment rather than compete with it.

Our visual inspiration leans toward:

• Ancient Bethlehem / Nazareth
• Faux carved limestone
• Roman-era architecture
• Weathered stone
• Epic cinematic scale
• Highly detailed but lightweight touring construction

The attached reference images show the general direction we're pursuing.

Scope of Work:

We are looking for help designing several categories of scenery.

1. Architectural Stone Elements:

Design faux stone scenic pieces that surround and integrate with our LED walls.

Examples include:

• Columns
• Broken walls
• Stone arches
• Platforms
• Bases
• Ruins
• Architectural framing
• Decorative stonework

These elements should help hide technology while creating an immersive environment.

2. Scenic Wagons:

Design rolling scenic wagons that can quickly transform the stage into different locations.

Examples might include:

• Village streets
• Carpenter's shop
• Bethlehem marketplace
• Wells
• Hillsides
• Stone terraces
• Garden areas
• Ancient doorways
• Rock formations

Some wagons may include:

• Multiple levels
• Stairs
• Platforms
• Railings
• Connectable sections that combine into larger environments

The goal is to maximize flexibility while minimizing trucking and load-in time.

3. Touring Practicality:

Everything should be designed for touring.

We're interested in ideas for:

• Modular construction
• Lightweight materials
• Hidden casters
• Fast setup
• Durable finishes
• Efficient storage in road cases
• Repeatable fabrication

Deliverables:

We'd like to work through several phases.

Phase 1 - $500

• Mood boards
• Initial concepts
• Rough sketches
• Design exploration

Phase 2 - Fee TBD

• Refined color renderings
• Perspective illustrations
• Multiple design options

Phase 3 - Fee TBD

Complete fabrication package suitable for a professional scenic shop, including:

• Dimensioned drafting
• Orthographic views
• Sections
• Construction details
• Materials recommendations
• Assembly drawings
• Hardware suggestions
• Finish recommendations
• Optional cut lists if appropriate

Ideal Experience:

We're looking for someone with experience in one or more of the following:

• Broadway productions
• Touring theatrical productions
• Theme parks
• Live entertainment
• Arena shows
• Television or film production design
• Worship environments
• Large-scale events

Experience designing scenery around LED walls is a huge plus.

Software:

We're open to your preferred workflow, but experience with programs such as:

• Vectorworks
• AutoCAD
• SketchUp
• Rhino
• Fusion
• Blender
• Unreal
• Cinema 4D

is helpful.

To Apply:

Please include:

• Portfolio
• Examples of scenic work
• Construction drawings you've created
• Renderings
• Any examples of fabricated projects
• Your availability
• Your estimated hourly rate (or project pricing)

About Us:

The Arrival is a brand-new arena Christmas production created by the team behind The Thorn, one of the largest touring Christian theatrical productions in North America.

Our mission is to tell timeless stories through world-class production, combining cinematic visuals, live performance, music, and innovative stagecraft.

We're looking for collaborators who love creating immersive environments that inspire wonder.

Bonus Skills (Not Required)

If you also have experience with:

• Scenic engineering
• Touring production design
• Fabrication management
• Lightweight scenic materials
• CNC fabrication
• Foam carving
• Scenic painting
• LED integration
• Structural design

that's a significant plus.

One More Thing...

We're looking for a creative partner, not just someone who can draft plans.

If you're passionate about designing immersive environments that support storytelling--and you enjoy collaborating from the earliest concept sketches through final fabrication--we'd love to hear from you.