About the course
This programme leads to the equivalent of up to three A levels and is run by Conservatoire EAST. The course is designed to help you take your next step in achieving your dream of a career related to production arts / technical theatre. The production arts course is fast-paced and aims to make you a rounded theatre technician by working on the Season of events* in Conservatoire EAST - a mix of straight plays, drama, musical theatre, comedies, music gigs and media screenings. Conservatoire EAST classes are taught by professional staff with industry experience and are enriched by workshops from visiting professionals to ensure that the training you receive is current and relevant.
You will be working in a professional environment and we demand absolute commitment and self-discipline from you. You will gain hands-on experience not only through involvement with the Conservatoire EAST Season but also through our partnerships with local venues and companies. In past years examples have included Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, The Apex, Bury St Edmunds and visiting companies such as Billmankhwe Arts and Tavaziva
*Note: The Season requires students to work on certain evenings throughout the course.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Dancing with Davinci
Dancing with Davinci
DarkNet
DarkNet
Hamlet
Hamlet
Romeo & Juliet
Romeo & Juliet
The History Boys
The History Boys
The House of Bernarda Alba
The House of Bernarda Alba
Zombie Prom
Zombie Prom
Entry requirements
Entry is by interview and workshop and occurs in three stages.
You will need to have previous technical theatre training / experience.
You will ideally have GCSE's / BTEC's / UAL qualifications at Level 2 in Performing Arts at C / Merit or above. If however you can demonstrate a strong physical aptitude / talent in the Production Arts / Technical Theatre, we will also consider you. There may be conditions, specific to you, attached to your course entry offer.
You will need five GCSE's Grade C or above, including maths and English at Grade C (4)
You will also need a suitable level of physical fitness appropriate to the demands of this qualification.
Qualifications
The College offers a range of Level 3 Diplomas and Extended Diplomas. We will work with all students in their first six weeks at College to place them on the appropriate programme that best meets their individual needs and best ensures their success. Within Conservatoire EAST, students will have the opportunity to take University of Arts London (UAL) Level 3 Diploma in Performing and Production Arts.
What you'll learn (core modules)
Over this two-year course, students will be taught and directed by performing arts industry experienced tutors and will have the opportunity to develop their own skills which they will utilise in the College theatre and offsite as part of external commissions. All students will build their own individual portfolio which will give them a strong foundation for progression interviews and auditions. The course works on a Season by Season event basis and consists of both practical and theory lessons.
You will learn technical skills in lighting design, stage management, sound engineering, scenic construction and production management as well as the vital personal skill of working as part of a team. You learn the skills on rotation, getting practical experience by working on the events in The Season. You will also have the opportunity to take part in many other extra-curricular productions and will mix with all other Performing Arts students during warm-up and other shows.
Any student aged 16 to 19 who does not hold a GCSE A* to C (9 to 4 on the new grading structure) or equivalent qualifications in Maths and English by age 16 will need to continue to study these subjects in each academic year.
Where will the course take me?
On completion of this course you can go on to further training in production / technical based (or other) subjects in Higher Education at degree or Fda (Foundation Degree) level. You can also do further training at major technical theatre specialist schools such as Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance, and Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA).
If you choose to follow alternative routes, perhaps into employment, you will find that you are fully equipped with transferable skills such as team working, problem solving, independent working, meeting deadlines under pressure and creative thinking amongst others; all of which are valued by employers.
Will I need any materials or equipment?
You will have to wear specialist Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In line with the ethos of conservatoire training, you will be expected to wear plain black clothing (all layers) and shoes in all taught classes and rehearsals.
Days & times
Starting September 2021