Technical Theatre
BA (Hons)

Costume

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of costume design.

Students will explore ways in which costume creates and enhances a visual understanding of character. Topics covered will include: textual analysis, collaboration with a director, costume research (including some work on period costume) and preliminary sketching. As part of the module students will examine some of the key variables involved in the designer's craft. These will include: choice of material, understanding the impact of texture, colour, shape and cut.

The module also introduces students to the practical elements of costume maintenance, laundry and running repairs.

There are sessions on budget, working as part of a technical team and health and safety in the theatre space.

Students are encouraged both to understand costume design as a crucial component of the collaborative process of theatre making and to see it as an aesthetic discipline in its own right.

Students are assessed on a design portfolio.

Production Placement

This course offers students an advanced understanding of the many roles that exist within the production team for live performance. It explores the key technical and aesthetic decisions made in these roles.

Building on their previous knowledge and research into both the history and current trends within the varying fields, students will work across several scheduled productions, developing as they work on their own design style and technical skills.

There will be specialist sessions throughout the module focusing on particular problems that arise within each of the production roles, giving students first-hand experience of practical trouble-shooting on a professional show.

The module offers students further opportunities to look at the logistical issues of working with a budget and to a deadline. Accompanying sessions focus on advanced skills in Lighting, Sound, Costume and Stage Management which provide additional material to develop their design portfolios.

Students are encouraged both to understand these roles as a crucial component of the collaborative process of theatre-making and to see them as aesthetic disciplines within their own right.

Puppets and Props

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of prop making, with a special focus on creating puppets for performance.

Students will learn to work with a variety of materials whilst gaining an understanding of the principles of working with hand held tools and light machinery. Skills that might be developed include sculpting, mould making, casting, fibre glass and plaster work, paint effects, construction and welding.

The course will teach students how to work from a designer's brief and how to work closely with the director, production manager and stage manager to ensure the work is coherent to the needs of the production.

All of this work is underpinned by explicit instruction as to how to work as part of a technical team and health and safety in the workshop space.

Specialist sessions on Puppetry introduce the key elements to this specific theatre craft. These include research, design, construction, animation, and manipulation as well as looking briefly at Global traditions and histories in this field.

Students are encouraged both to understand prop making as a crucial component of the collaborative process of theatre making and to see it as an aesthetic discipline in its own right.

Students are assessed on a make to a design brief with accompanying notes.

Scenic Construction

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of scenic construction.

Students will learn to work with a variety of materials whilst gaining an understanding of the principles of working with hand held tools and light machinery.

The course will teach students how to work from a designer's brief and how to work closely with theatre technicians to ensure the planned work can be rigged to fit within the appropriate theatre or studio space.

There are sessions on basic carpentry, AutoCAD, technical drawing. All of this work is underpinned by explicit instruction as to how to work as part of a technical crew and health and safety in the theatre space.

Students are encouraged both to understand scenic construction as a crucial component of the collaborative process of theatre making and to see it as an aesthetic discipline in its own right.

Students are assessed on a build to a design brief with accompanying notes.

Stage Lighting

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of stage lighting.

There are workshop sessions to teach the principles of rigging, focusing and plotting as well as a practical exploration of the variables that a lighting designer has control over. These include position of the light source, intensity of light, colour, texture and composition.

There are sessions on basic operation, working as part of a technical crew and health and safety in the theatre space as well as a basic training on maintenance.

Students are encouraged both to understand lighting design and operation as crucial components of the collaborative process of theatre making and to see it as an aesthetic discipline in their own rights.

Students are assessed on a short light show presentation with accompanying notes.

Stage Management

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of stage management.

There are workshop sessions to teach the principles of maintaining a rehearsal space, working with a director, recording accurately cues, technical notes and blocking.

Students learn how to put together rehearsal calls, show reports and operate in production meetings.

The module also explores the process of ‘calling a production' and gives students the opportunity through micro exercises to run five minutes sections of text.

There are sessions on propping, working as part of a technical crew and health and safety in the theatre space.

Students are encouraged both to understand stage manager as a crucial component of the collaborative process of theatre making and to see it as an aesthetic discipline in its own right.

Students are assessed on an imagined prompt copy.

The Design Process

This course introduces the role of the designer at both a conceptual and a practical level.

There are workshops, lectures and seminars in design (scenic, lighting, sound, costume).

There are also sessions on textual interpretation from a scenographic perspective and an investigation of conceptual approaches to the early stages of production work. Students are encouraged to take an overview of the various elements which constitute a performance event and to begin to analyse the relationship between playing spaces and the production of meaning.

Students are assessed on a portfolio of designs which they present to the rest of the group.

Advanced TV Production

This course offers students an advanced understanding of the role of the TV Producer. It explores the key technical and aesthetic decisions made in this role.

Building on their previous knowledge and research students will explore some of the principles of screenwriting, casting and directing talent.

Other sessions explore the roles and responsibilities associated with the floor manager's role.

There will be further work to understand some of the technologies available to the producer including sessions on acoustics, multiple camera set ups, virtual sets and graphics.

The module offers students further opportunities to look at the logistical issues of working with budget and to deadline.

Students are encouraged both to understand TV Production as a crucial component of the collaborative process of theatre making and to see it as an aesthetic discipline in its own right.

They are assessed on the production of a live 30 minute broadcast in a format of their choice.

Company Management

This course introduces students to the key concepts of Company Management.

Specific sessions will explore the logistics of looking after a touring company, teaching students how to meet the travelling, accommodation and day-to-day needs of the acting, design and technical company members. It will look at positive models of liaison and support a problem solving approach to disputes, grievances and unfamiliar or unexpected circumstances.

The module will also offer an introduction into coordinating auditions, contracting actors and creatives and managing a payroll. There are workshop sessions on logistical planning, budgetary control and establishing clear channels of communication.

Students are encouraged both to understand Company Management as a crucial unifying component of the collaborative process of theatre making and to see it as a problem solving discipline in its own right.

Students are assessed on a micro project.

Creative Thinking

This module attempts to teach ‘creativity' by exploring various established techniques of creative thinking through the setting and solving of problems. Weekly lectures will introduce selected theorists and their work in the field of creative thinking both in the arts and in commercial organizations. At the close of each lecture students will be invited to attempt to solve a problem in their seminar groups using these techniques. In the latter half of the course these techniques will be applied to theatre projects. These projects might be writing briefs, design problems or organisational and company projects.

Digital Film Production

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of TV Production. It is designed to help them navigate their way around the Television Studio and the Production-Control Room (PCR).

There are workshop sessions to teach the principles of production planning, studio set up, lighting and sound for TV, broadcasting, editing and aspects of post-production and distribution work. There are sessions on aspects of digital cinematography including shot selection, depth of field, aspect ratios, framing, camera movement and focus.

The module will cover the protocols of working in a studio, with a focus on safe working practice as well as offering a basic training on the maintenance of studio equipment.

Students are encouraged both to understand TV Production as both a collaborative process and an aesthetic discipline in its own right.

Students are assessed on a micro project.

Industry Placement

This module aims to give students an insight into the professional work of the theatre technician and designer. Placements can be given in a range of interests, these can include;

• Lighting
• Sound
• Set design and props
• Costume
• Stage Management

In addition to external placements, a range of substantial placements will be offered at Drama St Mary's working on the shows in St Mary's University Theatre. Students will be expected to take leading roles in the technical areas above. They will also have a team of people working for them on each show which they must manage and co-ordinate.

Students may also contact companies in order to source placements outside the University, and this will be discussed with your placement tutor. Drama St Mary's currently have local links with Richmond Theatre, Orange Tree Theatre, The Rose Theatre in Kingston and Battersea Arts Centre, as well as West End Theatres and smaller touring companies.

Throughout the module students will be given five hours of tutorial time with their personal placement tutor (times by arrangement between the student and lecturer) to discuss progress, acquisition of placement and any problems arising. Students will also be given a range of activities to do in order to develop their skills. These could include professional shadowing, master-classes and technical skills classes.

The module will be assessed at two points;

Students will not be formally assessed on a written component but will be expected to keep a journal of their work and the sessions they take part in for the purpose of personal development.

Production Management

This course introduces students to the key concepts of Production Management.

There are workshop sessions to teach the principles of managing the different components of a production, including logistical planning, budgetary control, running production meetings and delegation.

The module also explores the hands on process of overseeing the efficient transition of a production from rehearsal room into theatre space. There are sessions on theatre legislation and safe working practice.

It explores the role both in terms of the organisation of resources and also as the lead figure in the technical fit up.

Students are encouraged both to understand Production Management as a crucial unifying component of the collaborative process of theatre making and to see it as a problem solving discipline in its own right.

Students are assessed on a micro project.

Set Design

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of set design.

Students will explore ways in which set creates the lived in environment for the play. Topics covered will include: textual analysis, collaboration with a director, research, style, function and architecture.

As part of the module students will be encouraged to look at the work of renowned professional designers, case studying specific productions in order to understand some of the key techniques and innovations which have helped open out the possibilities open to stage designers.

The module also introduces students to the practical elements of working to scale, understanding the properties of a range of materials and fixing, hanging and flying stage furniture.

There are sessions on budget, working as part of a technical team and health and safety in the theatre space.

Students are encouraged both to understand set design as a crucial component of the collaborative process of theatre making and to see it as an aesthetic discipline in its own right.

Students are assessed on a model box and floor plans.

Specialist Study

Students are guided to select areas for practical research which allow them to develop their particular interests in Technical Theatre.

Options are chosen in consultation with the course convener, the Programme Director and the Academic Director and students either to extend their knowledge in one of the areas of theatre technology explored on the course (e.g.: If a student were interested in Stage Lighting the specialist study might give them an opportunity to explore lighting for music gigs, architectural lighting, event lighting, site specific lighting, advanced programming etc.) or to look at a completely new skills (pyrotechnics, wig making, website design for theatre companies, automation, effects and illusions for the stage etc.) Each student will have a designated tutor/ mentor who will help guide their learning.

The module can be viewed as a practical dissertation and students will be assessed on a twenty minute demonstration of their work followed by a Viva Voce.