Foundation Degree in Technical Theatre

Course review:

This is a creative and practical course in Technical Theatre leading to a Foundation degree, with the possibility of proceeding on to the final year of a BA(Hons) degree at the University of Huddersfield.

The course offers you the unique opportunity to be part of a small-scale touring theatre company and to get experience in the theatre industry as you learn. You will have the opportunity to work alongside theatre professionals through work shadowing and work experience. Your practical experiences will be supported by theoretical research and academic skills, equipping you with the necessary experience and skills for a range of creative careers in the arts.

Course Content

Throughout the course you will have opportunities to develop practical skills alongside professionals in the theatre industry, in experimental projects and within the student company. Your practical work will be contextualised through the exploration and research of contemporary theatre and performance practices.

Year 1

In the first year you will be introduced to current professional practice and procedures in lighting, sound, and stage management. These skills will be placed in perspective and expanded by introducing design and management practice. You will work with the Performance students as a company to create two productions exploring different performance styles and genres.

Year 2

In year two, you will continue to develop your technical, design and management skills through guided project work at University Campus Oldham, taught sessions, on tour, and with local theatres. There will be two further productions which you may have the opportunity work on as part of a small company. You will develop a particular area of specialism through your projects and research.

Teaching & Assessment

This is a highly practical course involving you in a variety of experimental tasks with a wide range of equipment, in technical and design roles. Your practical work will be supported with lectures and seminars. You will experience what it is like to work in a small-scale touring theatre company and you will be involved in the organisation and delivery of a range of productions to a number of different audiences. This will allow you to develop a work and academic skills as well as the necessary technical and administrative / design skills. Your work will be contextualised through the study of contemporary theatre practices and the cultural industries. Assessment of your work includes monitoring of your practical work in progress, performance outcomes, presentations, portfolios and research papers.

Facilities

A purpose built £5m set of creative studios was opened in 2008 and within this impressive building are our Rehearsal and Performance studios. The Performance Studio is a well-equipped public performance venue equipped with a comprehensive sound system as well as generic and moving lights on a motorised grid. The Rehearsal Studio is fitted out with a small scale lighting and sound system to allow for easy experimentation. We have a good relationship with Oldham Coliseum Theatre and some of your industry experience will take place in their newly refurbished theatre or with other regional partners.

Career Opportunities

The course prepares you for technical, design and management work in industry. It will provide you with a solid background and valuable experiences of carrying out a number of roles within the arts industry; you could proceed as a technician with small companies, or ASM /Junior Technician/Design Assistant in larger companies. There are also opportunities to progress on to the final year of a BA(Hons) degree to develop your higher level academic skills and gain a wider understanding of the area which may lead onto postgraduate study. The skills you learn and practice will be applicable across all the creative industries; be they traditional theatre or the associated areas such as event production, festivals, music events or product launches.