BA (Hons) Stage Management Degree & Technical Theatre

Course Content

This course provides training in various aspects of theatre production, including creative design, technical skills, and production management. You'll gain transferable skills applicable to theatre, festivals, events, touring, or further studies.  

The program helps you explore career options and achieve your goals in theatre production and the creative industries. The course highlights strong industry connections, with graduates finding work at prestigious venues and productions like The Royal Opera House, National Theatre, MTV, BT Sport, the National Theatre and popular shows like Hamilton, Kinky Boots, Sweeney Todd and Wicked.

Teaching Method

We use a variety of teaching methods, including: 

• Practical and creative studio-based workshops
• Discussions
• Lectures/seminars
• Tutorials
• Small group study
• Self-directed study
• Study trips

Key Features

• Gain practical experience in our professional on-campus theatre, which has rehearsal studios and is open to the public for performances throughout the year.
• Develop skills using the ETC ION lighting desk and Digico SD Series sound consoles.
• Industry-standard counterweight, hemp, motors and truss for rigging and flying
• Fully operational prompt desk, radio comms and cue lights

Year One

We aim to introduce the four critical pathways of Theatre Production: Lighting, Sound, Stage, and Production Management.

The first year provides a diagnostic opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills across all disciplines, to develop your focused specialisms. Initially taking junior roles on productions, you will work across performance genres, including musical theatre, acting, live events, and dance. This practical experience will assist in making decisions about future progression and specialisation.

• Unit 1: Theatre Induction & Process
• Unit 2: Ideas in Context: Performance and Everyday Life
• Unit 3: Production Lab
• Unit 4: Production Practice - Rehearsal Period & Process
• Unit 5: Live Project 1
• Unit 6: Discipline Development - Defining Your Craft

Year Two

During the second year, we aim to allow students to specialise in two of the four pathways studied in the first year. You will head teams within your chosen pathways and work on productions, from initial design and planning meetings to the first night and finally the ‘get-out';. The course offers the scope and time for students to develop the practical and professional skills required to be successful practitioners within their specialist discipline. In addition, the course aims to support students in promoting themselves, identifying pertinent arenas for industry experience and fulfilling a work placement with a chosen employer.

• Unit 7: Skills Lab
• Unit 8: Collaborative Practice
• Unit 9: Live Project 2
• Unit 10: Ideas in Context: Theatre and Performance Ideologies
• Unit 11: Industry Practice

Year Three

The final year combines the practical and the academic. Focusing on creating innovative and original work within your specialist field, you will explore and refine your professional practice in preparation for industry or postgraduate study.

• Unit 12: Identifying and Defining Professional Product
• Unit 13: Professional Development
• Unit 14: Dissertation
• Unit 15: Professional Discipline Practice