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Level 4+
BA (Hons) Stage Management & Technical Theatre
COURSE OVERVIEW
UCAS Course code: W450
Our course in Stage Management and Technical Theatre BA (Hons) offers an exciting blend of practical and vocational training in Stage Management, Production Management, Lighting design, and Sound Design. Designed to be student-led and progressive, it provides hands-on opportunities to explore two of these four pathways, helping you develop your skills and passion for the industry.
The course begins with a broad introduction to theatre production, allowing you to explore various disciplines. In the second year, you’ll specialise, leading teams and contributing to productions. The final year focuses on refining your practice, preparing you for the industry or postgraduate study. You will be encourage to pursue individual goals within theatre and creative industries. Industry connections have led alumni to work with top venues like the Royal Opera House, National Theatre, War Horse, Hamilton, and Wicked.
With access to top-tier facilities such as our professional on-campus Northbrook Theatre and studio 21 – featuring a double truss space for rehearsals and performances – you will gain real-world experience in a fully-equipped environment. You’ll work with state-of-the-art tools, including the ETC ION Lighting Desk, Digico SD Series consoles, advanced AV equipment, and professional rigging systems, all within our industry-standard spaces.
In addition to practical training, you will explore the broader context of technical production and performance, ensuring you are fully prepared for your chosen career path. Whether you are interested in stage management, production management, or design, this course will develop your creativity, technical expertise, and management skills. You’ll also have opportunities for live, public performances in our 160-seat theatre, building a strong portfolio of work in a collaborative environment.
This course prepare you for careers in theatre, festivals, events, and touring, or further study in postgraduate programs. Our graduates go on to work internationally, with many finding success across the West End, TV, Festivals, and Opera.
Key features of the course:
- Gain practical experience in a professional on-campus theatre with rehearsal studios, open to the public for performances throughout the year.
- Develop your skills using the ETC ION lighting desk and Digico SD Series sound consoles
- Industry standard counterweight, hemp, motors and truss for rigging and flying
- Fully operational prompt desk, radio comms and cue lights.
Module Overview:
This course is designed to give you a thorough understanding of both the practical and creative elements of stage management. It equips you with the essential skills needed to manage all aspects of production, from coordinating performances to overseeing technical elements. With a strong focus on hands-on experience, you will learn how to organise and execute live events, ensuring smooth operation behind the scenes in theatre.
Level 4 (Year One)
- Theatre Induction and Process: (20 credits)
- Ideas in Context: Performance and Everyday Life (20 credits)
- Production Lab: (20 credits)
- Production Practice – Rehearsal period and process: (20 credits)
- Live Project 1: (20 credits)
- Discipline Development – Defining your craft: (20 credits)
Level 5 (Year Two)
- Skills Lab: (20 credits)
- Collaborative Practice: (20 credits)
- Live project 2: (40 credits)
- Ideas in context: Theatre and Performance Ideologies: (20 credits)
- Industry Practice: (20 credits)
Level 6 (Year Three)
- Identifying and Defining Professional Product: (20 credits)
- Professional Development: (20 credits)
- Dissertation: (20 credits)
- Proposal for practice: (20 credits)
- Professional Discipline Practice: (40 credits)
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. You’ll work closely with other departments, such as set design, photography and musical theatre, to bring your imagination to life. You’ll also have the chance to participate in real-world projects, from performances in our fully equipped theatre to external commissions, giving you practical experience and industry insight.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Ready to stand out and secure your place in our course? Here’s how we evaluate your application:
We look at each application individually, considering your grades, interview performance, portfolio or audition, and any relevant experience. While we typically expect the following qualifications:
- A relevant A-Level qualification, or
- A Level 3 Extended Diploma
We understand that not everyone follows the same path. If you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, don’t worry – there are still plenty of ways to show us you’re capable of! Show us your potential through:
- Relevant academic or work experience
- A strong, compelling personal statement
- An exceptional portfolio and interview
What do I need to prepare for my audition/interview?
For this course, you will need to attend an interview and submit a portfolio. During the interview, you will be given a tour of our facilities and engage in an informal discussion about the course and your previous experience. If you have worked or been involved with any productions, please bring your portfolio to showcase your work. Depending on the timing of your interview, you may also have the opportunity to observe or participate in a small part of the production work happening that day.
What happens next?
- Stage Management
- Production Management
- Lighting Design
- Sound Design
Thanks to strong industry connections and valuable work experience opportunities, our alumni have worked with prestigious venues and productions, including:
- The Royal Opera House
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- Glyndebourne Opera House
- MTV
- BT Sport
- The National Theatre
- War Horse
- Hamilton
- Kinky Boots
- Sweeney Todd
- Wicked
- One Man, Two Governors
Our teaching and assessment methods are designed to keep learning dynamic, engaging, and hands-on. You’ll experience a mix of:
- Practical and studio-based workshops to refine your skills.
- Group discussions to exchange ideas and insights
- Critiques to help improve your work
- Lectures and seminars to explore concepts and techniques
- One-on-one tutorials for tailored feedback
- Group study and peer reviews to collaborate and learn from others
- Independent study to deepen your knowledge and creativity
Assessment methods are tailored to each unit and may include:
- Completing project work
- Delivering presentations
- Keeping journals of your creative journey
- Developing a research proposal
- Writing assignments to showcase your understanding
With this variety, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow and demonstrate your skills in ways that suit your strengths!
What are the costs of doing our course?
Tuitions Fee:
The tuition fee for this course is £9,535 per year
Finance Options:
There are several options available to help manage your tuition fees:
- Student Loan
- Instalment Payment Plan
- Company Sponsorship
For more information, please visit our Finance and Funding page- Funding your Course | Northbrook College
Additional Costs for Creative Degree courses:
When planning your studies, it is important to consider potential costs beyond tuition fees. While tuition fees cover teaching, assessment and access to college facilities, such as studios, shared IT resources and workshops, some courses may require additional expenses.
These could include:
- Textbooks: Essential texts are available in the college libraries, but you may wish to purchase personal copies for convenience
- Computer Equipment: While on-campus computers are available, having a personal laptop or tablet may offer greater flexibility for off-site study
- Printing and Photocopying: Most coursework is submitted online, but some assignments may require printed submissions, optional binding, or other presentation materials
- Materials: Creative courses often require specific art materials or equipment. A detailed materials list will be provided upon enrolment
- Field trips: Certain courses may include optional study visits or field trips to enrich learning experiences
- External Shows and Exhibitions: Opportunities to participate in external exhibitions or shows may involve additional preparation, materials, or travel expenses.
We are committed to providing transparent information about any additional costs to help your plan effectively for your studies. For more information regarding the financial support that we can offer, please visit our Financial Support page – Financial Support | Northbrook College
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Validated by University of the Arts London (UAL)
This programme is validated by University of the Arts London (UAL). UAL is a leading education provider in the creative arts, ranked second in the world for art and design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023). They oversee the standards and quality of our curriculum, which enriches your overall learning experience.
Please note this course is undergoing revalidation
Every 5 years UAL and Chichester College Group reviews course content to ensure that our students are benefitting from a high-quality academic experience. During this process there may be some changes made to the course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on this page. The information on this page will be updated once the process has been completed. Please contact us if you have any questions about this or the course via enquiries-worthing@gbmc.ac.uk