Supporting Hornsea School’s The Addams Family

When people think of what we do, safety signs are often front of mind. But every now and then, a project comes along that shows just how versatile print can be. 

Our recent collaboration with Hornsea School and Language College is a perfect example, and one we’re genuinely proud to have been part of.

For their 2026 production of The Addams Family, the school’s drama department needed a way to bring an ambitious set design to life quickly, effectively, and without compromising their creative vision.

A School with a Strong Stage Legacy

Hornsea School has built an exceptional reputation for performing arts over the years. Since launching their whole-school musical programme in 2013 with Jesus Christ Superstar, they’ve delivered a full-scale production almost every year.

Their back catalogue includes Cabaret, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, Hairspray, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Little Shop of Horrors, The Wizard of Oz, Oliver and The Little Mermaid, all performed in the school hall and all involving students from Year 7 through to Sixth Form.

This year’s The Addams Family continued that tradition in style. With 55 students involved across cast, crew, band, and technical roles, the production was a true whole-school effort. The show ran for four nights to sell-out audiences of 170, alongside a special daytime performance for local primary school pupils, giving Year 6 students a glimpse of what they could be part of in the future.

Having attended the performance ourselves, we can honestly say it was outstanding. The quality, energy, and professionalism on display rivalled productions far beyond a school setting. We were immensely proud to play even a small part in something that was so clearly the result of huge dedication from both staff and students.

The Challenge Balancing Ambition with Time

As with many school productions, the creative vision was ambitious but the timeline was tight. Rehearsals began shortly after auditions in September, with students committing to around five hours each week across singing, acting, and dance. Meanwhile, the production team developed staging ideas early on, with designs finalised by November and construction beginning just three weeks before opening night.

As Mrs Maiden, Head of Drama at Hornsea School explains:

“In an ideal world we would love longer on the construction side but as we are still a fully functioning school and it takes part in the school hall we can not have the space for any longer.”

That balancing act between ambition and practicality is something many schools and theatre groups will recognise. 

One particularly creative idea involved a series of interactive portrait frames that would reveal live cast members behind them. The original concept was to hand-paint these onto translucent material, allowing performers to appear through lighting effects. However, it quickly became clear this approach wasn’t feasible within the timeframe.

The Solution Printed Set Pieces

Instead of hand-painting each piece, the team pivoted to a printed solution. Using AI-generated artwork based on the actual cast in costume, the school created stylised portraits that matched each performer behind the frame. We then printed these designs, ready to be mounted directly onto the set.

This approach dramatically reduced production time while still delivering a bold, creative effect. During the performance, cast members revealed themselves from behind the frames, creating a moment that was both slick and memorable.

The finished set added depth, character, and a strong visual identity to the production, all without adding pressure to an already demanding schedule. Most importantly, it enabled the team to maintain the high standards they’ve become known for.

Supporting the Next Generation of Performers

Hornsea School’s performing arts department continues to go from strength to strength, with strong uptake at GCSE and A-Level and a clear passion running through the school.

As Mrs Maiden shares:

“This year we have some of the year 13s following their dreams after school and we feel that the shows, environment, opportunities and trips we provide as a department has aided them to believe in themselves.”

Students regularly go on to exciting opportunities, from studying musical theatre and dance at leading institutions like LMA and Italia Conti, to pursuing music at university and even international experiences in places like New York.

It’s clear that productions like this are about far more than just the final performance, they’re building confidence, skills, and futures.

Print That Goes Beyond Safety Signs

Projects like this highlight something we’re passionate about: using print to solve real-world challenges creatively.

Whether it’s for schools, theatres, or production companies, printed set pieces can:

• Save valuable time during production

• Reduce labour-intensive manual work

• Deliver consistent, high-quality visuals

• Bring ambitious ideas to life, even on tight schedules

So while safety signage remains a core part of what we do, it’s far from the whole story.

Got a Production Coming Up

If you’re part of a theatre group, school, or creative team and need help bringing your set to life without the stress, we’d love to help.

Because great productions deserve great support behind the scenes.