Course summary

Turn your interest in stage management into authentic industry experience and develop the vital skills needed in each role of a stage management team. Our three-year degree course, which is part of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, will help you to develop an understanding of the core skills needed in technical theatre and design, widening your knowledge and ability to work in the fast-paced, demanding environment of stage management and further afield. Taking on the essential duties of Assistant Stage Manager in your first year of study, Deputy Stage Manager in your second year, and Stage Manager in your final year, you’ll learn through experience, framed by academic study. During your degree you’ll explore all areas of theatrical performance production. Concentrating on the technical and logistical aspects of stage management, your studies will investigate lighting and sound, wardrobe, set design, prop sourcing, maintenance, and the management and organisation of touring theatre. You’ll also widen your skills base, developing an awareness of the administration and funding of events and small theatre companies as well as the context of theatre today. You’ll be expected to engage in a variety of professionally focused roles which will challenge you to grow as a creative practitioner. Through a series of practical and theoretical lectures, seminars and workshops you’ll discover the disciplines needed to confidently and successfully bring scripts from page to stage. Your final year includes a six to eight week placement, where you experience the rigours and responsibilities of a busy stage management job. Recent placements have included the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Opera House, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Opera Company and the Birmingham REP. Working in a variety of professional venues across the city, you are constantly building your industry network as you train. We encourage you to take part in as many placements as you can so that you can engage with ideas and theories in a practical setting, whilst developing your communication skills and working in an authentic environment. Previous graduates of the course have found employment on West End theatre shows, national and international tours, cruise ships and many other exciting productions. The course guides you in developing your ability to prepare scripts for the stage that meet the requests of the director, whilst balancing your responsibilities as part of the production team, and supporting the cast effectively. Through intensive and challenging study you’ll experience the entire production process from start to finish and contribute to the sense of achievement that comes with staging a successful production as part of a close-knit team.

Course details