BA Stage and Production Management

Program Overview

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East 15 Acting School’s BA Stage and Production Management course is a practical-based professional training that prepares you for careers in a range of production and technical roles in theatre, events and related creative industries. We emphasise learning through practice and you are part of a creative production team from early in the course. Based at our picturesque Loughton Campus , our proximity to London means you will be able to keep up-to-date with the latest technical innovations in one of the world’s greatest theatre capitals. Our specially equipped Unit Four building is complete with workshops, an IT suite and seminar rooms – the perfect environment for learning your craft! View more undergraduate courses from East 15 Acting School , including our Creative Producing (Theatre and Short Film) vocational training program. Why we're great.

• Professional industry placement during study.
• Immersion in full production work from year one.
• Introduction to sound, lights and costume skills.

Our expert staff

Our training is by professionals and for professionals, allowing our graduates to work successfully across the globe. Our international, outstanding teaching faculty is made up of professionals from all areas of live and recorded performance. Learn more about our staff here .

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Specialist facilities

Our Loughton Campus is perfectly located, providing access to both the rich, cultural diversity of London and an attractive and peaceful setting in which to study. We are just a five-minute walk from London Underground station, Debden, where you can travel in only thirty minutes to Central London, West End theatres and mainline train stations including the Eurostar. We have three sites at our Loughton Campus – Hatfields, Roding House and Unit Four. Hatfields is a beautiful Georgian dower house, set in five acres of lawns with orchards, flowerbeds and a small lake, providing an idyllic atmosphere for study and relaxation. Just a short walk from Hatfields is Roding House, a £1.3 million facility containing 10 rehearsal rooms, a green room/café, a sound recording studio and a video editing suite, and our costume department. Next to Roding House, Unit Four is a £1.5 million facility which is home to the Stage & Production Management department. The Unit contains a large workshop, paint shop, prop shop, prop storage facilities and teaching spaces. Our on-site Corbett Theatre is named in honour of Harry H Corbett, a key member of Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop and early benefactor of East 15. It is used extensively for student productions and is a practical training hub for our BA Stage and Production Management students. The building is a medieval tithe barn that was dismantled and transported to Hatfields in the 1960s. These unusual origins create a unique performance space with a special atmosphere. Renovated to include full technical facilities, tiered seating for 130 people and fitted dressing rooms, the theatre provides an excellent resource for public productions, while the adjacent Bar and Café provides a social meeting point for students and staff.

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Your future

In addition to the widespread opportunities offered in the stage, film and television industry, there is huge demand across the events sector for production staff at festivals, concerts, exhibitions, sporting events and large scale outdoor events. Students often gain employment through successful work placements. Alumni have previously worked in production and technical roles at leading British performance venues such as The National, RSC, and Northern Ballet. We also have graduates working at the BBC, on Game of Thrones and international theatres in Dubai and China as well as international tours and theme parks. “The opportunities to get involved with not only our personal shows, but other shows around the campus and beyond is a constant flow, and the tools and equipment give you the chance to try something new, and experiment with different ways of producing certain props.” "I have become a much more rounded person, due to being able to get a little bit of knowledge in all technical areas, and this has led to me being asked to work in Soho, London as a lighting technician, which I wouldn’t have even contemplated before the course." Caroline Sheard, BA Stage and Production Management

Program Outline

Course structure

We offer dynamic and unique courses for actors, directors, producers, technical theatre specialists and students of theatre practice. Training at East 15 draws upon 50 years of tradition combined with a keen sense of the world of stage and screen today. Our carefully selected modules will give you the chance to explore and develop your specialist training. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

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Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

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Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 1 Year 2 Final Year In this module you will; Define the various roles within a stage management team and its role within the wider production department team, develop an understanding of the Assistant Stage Manager role within the pre-production, rehearsal, performance and post-production periods, introduce the skills of research and how these methodologies support prop sourcing for a production, develop an understanding of the Deputy Stage Manager role within the pre-production, rehearsal, performance and post production periods, introduce the understanding of the prompt script, blocking and how a Deputy Stage Manager supports rehearsals, and develop an understanding of the Stage Manager role within the pre-production, rehearsal, performance and post-production periods. View Stage Management Skills 1 on our Module Directory Use the working script as the basic source for lighting design, effects and cues. Understand and be experienced in the safe use of electricity and have an awareness of the appropriate use of A/C, D/C, single phase and three phase power supply. Develop relevant computer literacy. Understand and use current lighting control systems. Read and interpret a lighting rig plan. Rig and focus a range of conventional lanterns. Operate follow spot and a range of other basic stage electrics. Understand the artistic decisions behind using effects such as gobos, smoke machines, dry ice and pyrotechnics. Explore and gain experience in the use of creative lighting in performance. Understand the use of rehearsal notes. React positively to changes communicated throughout the rehearsal process. View Foundation Skills in Lighting and Sound on our Module Directory Use a working script as a source for scenic information. Use hand and power tools and bench machinery safely. Construct scenery using a range of materials including timber, ironmongery, adhesives, and canvas. Apply a range of techniques in the making of scenery including joinery, fastening and canvassing. Develop relevant computer literacy. Fit up and secure scenery safely, including flown scenery. Move and assemble scenic units safely. Use appropriate theatre and workshop terminology. Use further processes, following construction, required to finish scenery. Understand the use of rehearsal notes. React positively to changes communicated throughout the rehearsal process. Interpret ground plans in relation to staging and rigging. Participate in get-ins, fit-ups, strikes and get-outs. View Foundation Skills in Construction and Stage Craft on our Module Directory Undertake effective research of visual and technical references to support production and project work. Use appropriate theatre and workshop terminology. Discuss with the Costume Designer and Costume Supervisor how to create the best possible effect and be able to undertake research into special requirements. Use a working script as a source for costume information. Apply a range of techniques in the making of costumes including over-locking, hand sewing, machine sewing, and industrial machine sewing and dying. Develop relevant computer literacy. Cut patterns both from a block and by draping. Make alterations and maintain costumes during a run. Work as a dresser during performances. Understand the use of rehearsal notes. React positively to changes communicated throughout the rehearsal process. View Foundation Skills in Production Arts on our Module Directory You will gain an understanding of the profile, characteristics, size and structure of the hotel and hospitality industry. This includes an understanding of different types of business enterprise, ownership models and structures within the industry. This module explains the economic profile of the industry and the issues and trends that continue to provide challenges. View Industry in Context 1 on our Module Directory This module will enable you to; take on stage management roles within productions with more responsibility, develop further their understanding of the production process in a professional environment, develop their use of working with a script as a source for information, develop the ability to interpret Design, and apply a range of techniques and practical skills when working on a practical productions View Production Skills on our Module Directory In this module you have the opportunity to gain practical experience working on external productions and projects to develop your understanding of the operations of stage production. You have a choice of roles, including but not limited to: stage management, scenic construction, prop making, costume production and lighting and sound. View Production Practice 1 on our Module Directory In this module you have the opportunity to gain practical experience working on external productions and projects to develop your understanding of the operations of stage production. You have a choice of roles, including but not limited to: stage management, scenic construction, prop making, costume production and lighting and sound. View Production Practice 2 on our Module Directory In this module you have the opportunity to gain practical experience working on external productions and projects to develop your understanding of the operations of stage production. You have a choice of roles, including but not limited to: stage management, scenic construction, prop making, costume production and lighting and sound. View Production Practice 3 on our Module Directory You will analyse current concepts in the hotel and hospitality sector, including the management structure of different operations, revenue management and the systems used to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and profitability. This includes evaluating the influences of industry developments on the contemporary hotel and hospitality sector. View Industry in Context2 on our Module Directory In this module you have the opportunity to gain further practical experience working on external productions and projects to further develop your understanding of the operations of stage production. You have a choice of roles, including but not limited to: stage management, scenic construction, prop making, costume production and lighting and sound. View Production Practice 4 on our Module Directory In this module you have the opportunity to gain further practical experience working on external productions and projects to further develop your understanding of the operations of stage production. You have a choice of roles, including but not limited to: stage management, scenic construction, prop making, costume production and lighting and sound. View Production Practice 5 on our Module Directory In this module you have the opportunity to gain further practical experience working on external productions and projects to further develop your understanding of the operations of stage production. You have a choice of roles, including but not limited to: stage management, scenic construction, prop making, costume production and lighting and sound. View Production Practice 6 on our Module Directory Here you will develop your knowledge and skills with regard to creative leadership. With a focus on innovation management, you will analyse the strategic implications of managing within changing industry environments and evaluate the necessary theories, tools and skills to develop realistic, coherent and effective business strategy. View Context in Industry 3 - Professional Placement on our Module Directory

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Teaching

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Year 1

In your first year you acquire a range of core stage management and technical theatre related skills whilst working as part of East 15’s production crew on professional productions at our in-house theatre. Our professionally experienced staff help you to develop practical experience and expertise across a range of areas, including:

• Lighting
• Sound
• Set design
• Costume
• Prop making
• Construction
• Stagecraft
• Stage and Event Management
• Training in specialist software pertaining to technical theatre roles

Students also undertake a design project to support and enhance their own working with professional directors and designers.

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Year 2

Your second year enables you take on increasing responsibility for productions, with a combined emphasis on managerial and organisational abilities alongside your broader stage and technical theatre skills. This includes being responsible for production budgets and collaboration with professional directors and designers.

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Year 3

By your final year you work at a fully professional level, with the skills, experience and confidence to take responsibility for the organisational and financial aspects of a range of public productions across different venues both on Campus and in central London. You also undertake an industry-based work placement – a perfect preparation for professional life after you graduate.