BTEC National Award in Technical Theatre

BTEC National Award in Technical Theatre
The course is designed to enable you to :

• Increase your knowledge and understanding of Technical Theatre systems
• Develop and apply your theory and practical skills through the study of specific roles within theatre
• Display knowledge and understanding of specific terminology
• Develop an understanding of theatrical roles and the way theatre's work.

Is it for me?
The course suits those who want to learn about the technical support that goes on behind a performing arts event. You will need to be willing to work flexible hours outside course time and commit to some evening work during the year. This course is taken over two years, is equivalent to one A level and assessment is all coursework based.
What you will do on the course
Production for Theatre Performance
This unit is all about the backstage and offstage activities that have to happen so that a performance can take place in front of an audience. It acknowledges the fact that there are more jobs in the performing arts industry out of the limelight than there are onstage and that all performances need a range of creative, production, technical and administrative support staff to make them happen.
Technical Stage Operations
This unit enables you to gain knowledge of the production process, including job and role allocation, the pre-production process and the production week. This covers rigs and fit ups, focus, plot and technical and dress rehearsals. The unit gives the basic skills required to work safely within a theatre environment and will give opportunities to use a range of equipment safely.
Stage Technology Installation
This unit introduces learners to electronics used in the theatre. Learners will be introduced to the fundamentals of theory and process in handling the interconnection, fault finding and maintenance of lighting, sound and video systems.
Stage Lighting Operations
This unit provides you with the skills necessary to provide lighting services that can enhance performances. This unit provides you with the necessary skills to correctly identify, use and maintain a range of stage lighting equipment in common use in a range of venues.
You will also be introduced to lighting control and dimming equipment.
Stage Lighting Design
In this unit you are introduced to the different design approaches necessary for successful lighting in a number of alternative genres. The lighting designer produces the concept for the lighting, decides how the production will look from a lighting perspective and produces a technical specification that can be taken into a venue and installed by the lighting crew.
Assistant Stage Manager
This unit is designed to give you an overview of the roles of the ASM. ASM's support the Stage Management team throughout the production process. They set up rehearsal spaces, find or make props and furniture, dress the set and re-set the stage after each performance etc. ASM's gain important experience covering many jobs and roles.
Progression
Last year over half of the students enrolled onto the National Award in Technical Theatre went onto specialise within the area at University including courses in BA Hons Lighting Design BA Hons Technical Theatre and BA Hons Theatre and Performance Design. During their time at University most students have had the opportunity to work within professional theatre including Follow Spot Operator for Billy Elliot at the Victoria Place Theatre and Dresser for Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.