What are you looking for in your students?
Our undergraduate course represents an outstanding opportunity
for students with an interest in, and flair for, stage management
and technical theatre. We see a great number of students apply each
year but it is those with a genuine desire to make it in the
industry that we will help train to become tomorrow's leading
industry professionals. Our aim is to take the most talented
individuals out of the relative comfort of their previous
experiences, to challenge their attitudes, and to furnish them with
new techniques. We provide one of the most intense, dynamic and
thorough courses available, and we create highly capable stage
managers, event managers and technicians.
How many places are available?
We usually recruit twenty students each year. The course is
unashamedly difficult but students are supported from the outset by
RWCMD's passionate tutors who help them to identify specific areas
of interest and areas for improvement, and to develop career
focussed opportunities. The intimate numbers on our course enable
us to get to know each student and help shape them into the
graduate they want to be - all different, all highly capable, but
all ready for work.
What makes this course different from other stage
management courses?
We find that although students are certain that the backstage
life is for them, many of them are unsure which field they might
want to specialise in. To help with this, we’ve made sure the
course at RWCMD gives the student the opportunity to receive
training in all areas of Stage Management and Technical Theatre.
Staff then work closely with students to nurture and develop their
specialism, with a view to long term career development.
We also believe that the level of support that is available here
is particularly high, both from the College and from fellow
students. There is a real sense of community amongst the students,
staff and graduates of the department.
Every year RWCMD stages up to 25 drama, musical and opera
productions, which are open to the public. These are held within
the College's own venues and at external venues including Sherman
Theatre (Cardiff), Chapter Arts Centre (Cardiff), Weston Studio
(Wales Millennium Centre), The Gate Theatre (London) and Bargehouse
(London). Each of these shows are run by students on the stage
management course: they assume the roles of The Stage/Production
Management, Lighting Designer, Sound Designer, Chief Technicians,
Deputy Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager and Technicians.
The Department runs independently whilst at the same time
complementing the activities of the Acting, Design for Performance
and Music programmes. This means that RWCMD has successfully built
a reputation for producing both traditional and innovative dynamic
performances.
In the Summer, Stage Management students run a venue at the
Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Through Venue 13, Stage Management students
put on over 150 performances in three-weeks as part of their
professional portfolio.
Students also undertake work experience placements at a number
of high profile venues and productions throughout the UK. These
include the Royal Court, Almeida, Donmar Warehouse and the Globe
theatres and on festivals and events such as Glastonbury,
Boardmaster and the Olympic games. This exposes our students to a
variety of situations from which they can draw experience in the
future.
What professional opportunities can Cardiff
offer?
Cardiff has many venues in which students gain employment, such
as the Wales Millennium Centre, Sherman Theatre, New Theatre,
Chapter Arts and the College (RWCMD is one of Cardiff’s leading
receiving houses). However, the opportunities are not limited
to Cardiff, or indeed Wales. The Stage Management course is
vocationally based and as such we work closely with external
production companies, agencies and events based throughout the UK
and beyond.
RWCMD has an excellent reputation for student retention, student
satisfaction and student employment and our graduates are desirable
to potential employers throughout the world, in a number of
disciplines. The opportunities for our students to gain experience
are extensive and this is reflected in the success of our past
students.
Do you have any final words of advice?
If you are serious about a career in stage management and
technical theatre all we can say is come and have a look at what we
have to offer. Experience the campus, spend a day in Cardiff, speak
to us and the students here - and then decide where you want to be
studying.