Technical Theatre Arts BA(Hons)

During your first year, you’ll explore stagecraft techniques, equipment, technology and processes, as well as modern performance practices and the industry’s history. You’ll have the chance to take on roles in live performances, work at our summer schools, conferences, events and artist residencies and gain nationally recognised health and safety training. 

Modules

Stagecraft 1

You’ll develop studio and workshop-based technical and production skills in a range of disciplines, including conventional lighting, sound and theatrical set construction techniques.

Performance, Culture and Contexts

You’ll explore critical theatre history, evaluating its cultural and cross-cultural impact.

Professional Development

In this module, you’ll explore the core aspects of the role of a production practitioner.

You’ll consider the contemporary practices, behaviours, knowledge and skills required for you to work as an individual and as part of a team-based production process.

Stagecraft 2

Here, you’ll begin to specialise and develop further discipline-based practical and design skills, including:  

• The use of professional control systems and creation of media 
• Planning documentation, including the use of 3D computer-aided design and lighting visualisation software 
• Sound effect production and digital mixing 
• Contemporary stage rigging and construction techniques 
• Organisational stage management techniques and practices 

Practical Production

Through a range of live performance projects, you’ll examine ways in which you can enhance audience engagement and participation in theatre and cultural events. 

You’ll also develop an understanding of technical and production disciplines, exploring how they influence the delivery of performance.

In your second year, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with other courses on performance projects and work with professional staff on real events on and off-campus, including opportunities for work placements. You’ll also work on creative projects focusing on design and project management. 

Modules

Venue Management and Technical Standards

You’ll explore the importance of industry standards and norms, including health and safety legislation and risk assessment as well as people management practices. You’ll evaluate and reflect on the impact of these standards and practices through engagement with work-based learning. 

Digital Performance Technologies

You’ll gain an understanding of emerging digital practices through engagement with research and practical experimentation. You’ll work with computer-based technologies such as projection mapping and motion capture, digital audio and video editing, post-production techniques and the use of networking and communication technologies. You’ll also identify how such technologies are being developed, adapted and integrated into contemporary practice. 

Design Project

You’ll explore design conceptualisation and innovation, developing large-scale creative design briefs to professional standards.

Alongside this, you’ll nurture advanced skills in both traditional and technology-based design tools, such as 3D CAD modelling and multimedia manipulation. You’ll also examine stage, set, lighting and sound design through a range of lectures by visiting specialists.

Collaborative Project

Engaging with peers from other creative disciplines, you’ll collaborate to make an original piece of performance work, exploring new perspectives and techniques and operating as a technical creative maker.

You can choose to take an optional placement year during your degree. You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the RealWORKS employability team. Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. 

How you’ll study during your placement year 

You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. 

You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. 

Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. 

In your final year, you’ll continue to develop a practical and forward-thinking set of skills for professional practice. You’ll develop your own independent lines of enquiry and projects, continuing to collaborate with other performance and live events courses in the form of projects and productions. You’ll also explore new technologies and advanced digital processes that are central to future-facing professional skillsets. Finally, you’ll deliver a major professional practice project of your choosing and reflect upon its strengths and weaknesses.

Modules

Production Management, Design and Realisation

You’ll develop and hone organisational and managerial skills through the realisation of design and production briefs and larger-scale performance projects. You’ll gain experience in management techniques including organisation, planning, delegation, motivation and conflict resolution. 

Industry Horizons in Technical Theatre

You’ll undertake a research project or dissertation that identifies potential opportunities and new directions for technical theatre innovation. Research is also applied to real-world contexts, providing insights that will inform and guide you in your career choices and preparation for future industry demands.

Professional Project: Practice

In your final year, you will plan, prepare and deliver a ‘professional project’. This can take a range of forms but is based on the study of and interaction with industry organisations through work-based learning, a placement and/or event projects. This will provide real world experience and insight into production and employment. You’ll also deploy your combined communication and production skills to develop a public showcase of your work.

Professional Project: Research

This module, which is linked to the Practice module, allows you to engage with research into industry themes and approaches as part of your practice. Your Professional Project is an example of practice as research, and the two are entwined in your development as a practitioner.  

This module also develops critical frameworks and reflection to assess the impact and effectiveness of your project in its aims and outcomes.