Students on our BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage & Screen programme have had the exciting opportunity to complete internships working behind the scenes of new BBC Middlesbrough-based LGBTQ+ comedy Smoggie Queens.

The production “written by Middlesbrough native, Phil Dunning, Smoggie Queens tells the story of volatile Dickie (Dunning) along with drag queen Mam (Mark Benton), self-styled hun Lucinda (Alexandra Mardell), awkward Sal (Patsy Lowe) and newcomer Stewart (Elijah Young) as they navigate love, life and their pride for a town that feels neglected in its own little corner of the UK. It’s an underdog story on two fronts, so expect a few passionate scraps that may send your wig flying!”

Speaking of making the production Phil said: “I’m so grateful to them for allowing me to write such stupid and weird characters. It’s been a beautiful dream working with Hat Trick, and the incredible cast already feel like my new chosen family. I can’t wait to introduce the sights, sounds and smells of Middlesbrough to the world”.

The internships came via production design lecturer and set designer Lee Ward: “I’d initially enquired to work on the production myself before it was confirmed to be Smoggie Queens. Unfortunately I was too late in the application process so I missed my chance for a paid place. However I mentioned I was a Production Design lecturer and asked if they had any capacity for work experience placements for our students to get involved. The Smoggie Queens Production Designer Alex and I began to discuss the logistics of this and got the ball rolling.

As soon as it was confirmed that the production was actually Smoggie Queens, I emailed Alex again expressing my excitement due to how closely I have worked in and alongside Middlesbrough’s LGBTQ scene over the past decade as a (semi-retired) Smoggie queen myself. I offered my personal experience, local knowledge, props and reference images with the intention to help build an authentic-feeling Smoggie Queens world. I was contacted by the casting agency they were using to cast extras and was asked to help spread the word to the local LGBTQ community about the opportunities to be on set.”

Speaking of the process of getting the students involved Lee said: “I put a callout to my students and asked for the students who responded with interest to write a cover letter for the positions. Students selected for the opportunity were final year student Bee Yale, second year students Christy Robinson and Connor Curran and first year student Charley Estrada”.

Student Bee Yale, who graduated from the BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage & Screen programme in 2024 worked full-time during her week on the production and was based in Middlesbrough: “I was primarily based in the production office in Middlesbrough, although I also got a chance to visit the props store. I worked Monday to Friday around 40 hours”.

Speaking of her role she said that she was eager to help with everything: “I just went into the opportunity wanting to get involved with as much of everything as possible. I ended up doing a huge range of things, from listening in on budget meetings and script reads to petty cash buying and working on props. I did a lot of crafting for various props throughout the week and got my hands dirty”.

Fellow student Christy Robinson said that during the first day they “assisted with the dressing of a nightclub set filmed in a local club called Empire. This included hanging fairy lights, dressing fake ivy, putting up posters, LED strip lights etc. My following days included completing various art department jobs including styling a wig that’s going to be used in set dressing, and creating graphics, like notice board posters. On my final day, I got to paint a sign for a Middlesbrough Pride set advertising strawberry daiquiris”.

Reflecting on her skill development fellow production alumni Bee said: “I used plenty of technical skills, but I think the most important skill I used was confident communication. Having such a supportive team of people in the art department helped me succeed, this was one of the main things I will take away from the experience”.

Speaking of the impact that the experience could have on her employment prospects Bee commented: “I think this could help with future employment. Many of my previous jobs in the arts have been through the connections I have made within the industry. Making more connections in the art department shouldn’t hurt!

I got plenty of advice from them. I was talking to them about an upcoming job I wasn’t sure I should apply for, but they encouraged me to apply. The main piece of advice was to go for every opportunity because you don’t know where it could lead! By the way, I got the job!”.

Similarly Christy said that the experience opened her eyes to opportunities in the North East, “My take away from this experience was, it is possible to make mainstream film and TV in my home town of Middlesbrough, and everyone appreciates a hand lifting something large or heavy. I also spoke to a few crew members who got their entry level jobs on Smoggie Queens with the help of North East Screen“.

Christy also reflected on how this opportunity will help develop their CV reflecting: “I made some great contacts during my time on Smoggie Queens. Having a mainstream BBC production on my CV will help evidence my value to employers. Also, hopefully prove to employers that, although I am at an entry level, I am capable of working on professional productions. I was advised by the creatives in the art department where to look for work in the future and what their experiences have been like”.

Speaking of her time at university and the creative community in the school Bee said: “While studying, I found the most meaningful connections and experiences outside of the course. Getting involved in the wider creative community was incredibly important and has led me to where I am today. Since leaving university, I’ve been working on various other freelance productions and projects. I want to keep doing that, but my ultimate ambition is to work in the art department on a fantasy film or series”.

Christy described the BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage & Screen course as “really freeing” and that the industry focus that the degree has “encourages learning through work experience, as well as the classroom, as you gain more and build a strong portfolio and CV. My favourite modules are the visual technique modules, as they are open to student interaction, and lets the student choose which skills to develop and how. This helps us prepare for a wider range of careers”.

In respect to next steps Christy said “I hope to either design for theatre or work in the art department for film and TV. I would like to find a career path that uses both my practical and digital skills. I hope to investigate virtual and mixed reality in theatre, as well as using motion tracking in conjunction with virtual reality technologies”.

Reflecting on the opportunity to work with the production, Lecturer Lee said: “Students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and got a lot out of it both personally and professionally. On behalf of myself and the department we are incredibly grateful for the care and effort that was put into creating and supporting these opportunities, both from the Smoggie Queens art department and Hat Trick Productions. A big thank you and congratulations to all who were involved”.

Lee and Faculty Leader for the School’s Stage & Screen courses, Stuart Drummond, also attended the pink carpet opening night at Middlesbrough Town Hall. Lee said: “it was so exciting to see something usually hidden from the world be so visibly celebrated on screen, with all of the local LGBTQ talent present to enjoy what had been created in honour of us smoggies”.

Keep up to date with both students work on their Instagram pages: @bee.productiondesign @ChristyLouiseDesigns. 

If you are interested in a career in set and production design our BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage & Screen degree programme is a fantastic pathway to gain the skills, opportunities and the knowledge needed to carve out a successful career in the stage and screen industries. Find out more here.