The BA Production Technology and Management programme is a very practical course that will see you take on industry-standard roles from the very start. With a timetable that is also reflective of industry practice, you will build the stamina and resilience to withstand a challenging yet rewarding career.
Production consists of both the BA Production Technology and Management and the BA Production Arts and Design programmes. Production students will work very closely with each other in the classroom and on RCS productions.
This is the only conservatoire-based technical theatre degree in Scotland. Through the programme we aim to produce production technicians, stage managers and lighting designers who can turn their hands to any related role, making them employable in a range of contexts, whilst also being specialists in career pathways, i.e. stage management, stage technology, sound design, sound engineering, lighting technology and lighting design.
We’ll help you to create your own pathway through the programme, focusing on your areas of interest. You will learn to work creatively, as an individual artist, as part of a production team and in collaboration with other students of all disciplines.
RCS is a major public performance venue with world-class facilities. The combination of professional venues, extensive workshops, construction spaces, design studios, and the latest stage and workshop technologies provide a fantastic learning environment.
We work closely with industry to ensure our curriculum is current, competitive, and of the highest professional standard, so you will gain all of the skills and knowledge needed for your future career. We have very close relationships with key Scottish national companies, such as Scottish Opera, the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet as well as companies across Scotland, such as the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, Blue Parrot Production and Events in Edinburgh and Warehouse Sound in Glasgow.
Further afield we have well-established relationships with national and international organisations such as the Association of British Theatre Technician (ABTT), the Association of Stage Pyrotechnicians (ASP) the Production Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA), United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Inc. (USITT), Cirque du Soleil, TAIT, Just FX and the National Theatre in London.
Our graduates will aspire to become the creative leaders and innovators of the future and will be encouraged to push accepted boundaries and create new standards of practice in the industry at large.
This innovative fast track, two year degree combines the best of University education with the best of Drama School training in order to produce the future generation of theatre technicians who are not only technically competent but alive to the changing creative demands of this fast moving industry.
- Drama St Mary’s offers Pre-UCAS interviews and auditions that give you feedback before you apply through UCAS.
- A range of scholarships are available for undergraduate students.
- Taught by theatre professionals and academics.
- Employment-focused course.
Why study Technical Theatre?
This programme's two year structure is unique within St Mary’s University.
The United Kingdom has an International reputation for its innovative work in the theatre and associated Creative Industries.
Across the globe technicians and designers trained in the UK are pioneering new ways to reimagine space, tell stories and solve the logistical problems of managing live performance.
A training in technical theatre will equip you with both the design skills and the technical knowhow to work across a broad range of skills within this exciting and fast moving industry.
Gain practical experience in 11 production roles with our specialist training that opens up a diverse range of career paths in the entertainment industry.
This specialist programme offers you hands-on training in stage management, stagecraft, technical theatre, event production and event management.
It provides opportunities for you to gain practical experience in a variety of production roles within a working environment that closely reflects that of the professional theatre and its related industries.
You’ll start by learning all the core skills needed to work on productions. Training in stage management – which revolves around organising and coordinating a live performance – includes a series of practical sessions. These will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the roles of assistant stage manager (ASM) and deputy stage manager (DSM) and include projects in prop making and sourcing.
Your stagecraft sessions will explore the skills you need to mark out rehearsal rooms and stages, construct and fit-up basic scenery, and operate stage machinery such as hemp and counterweight flying systems. You’ll also gain technical knowledge of lighting, sound, video and electrical systems. Health and safety training is embedded throughout the course as well.
But it’s using your skills in a range of real-world experiences that forms the foundation of your training. Throughout your course, you’ll take part in 11 production placements – predominantly with the Richard Burton Company, our in-house theatre company – however, three of those could be within professional UK theatre production companies.
If you want to become a makeup artist for television, theatre, events, or fashion magazine shoots our Media Makeup courses are the place to start.
Develop your hair-styling skills and learn the art of professionally designing and applying make-up. You'll grow your portfolio by applying the knowledge you gain in hair-styling and beauty treatments.
On this course you'll:
- Learn make-up techniques for day, evening and special occasions
- Learn a range of makeup within the creative industries, including photo shoots and body art
- Create character makeup
- Enhance your face & body art skills
- Apply cosmetic camouflage makeup
- Enhance your overall design skills
- Study hair styling and beauty units
Students will gain experience of working in a wide range of materials, surfaces, textures and effects, enabling them to interpret designs to the level of finish expected by contemporary audiences. They will develop skills in research, analysis and interpretation, and a high level of technical competence in drawing, painting, colour theories and working on both large and small scale elements.
Techniques such as marbling, wood graining, lettering, spray gun and texturing will be taught, and students will gain a good understanding of art history, period styles and architecture. There is the opportunity to develop comprehensive skills as part of a team by delivering realised public productions, and to take on increased levels of responsibility as the course progresses.
