• Home
• Courses
• Articles
• Purchase Handbook
• About Us
• Contact Us

Courses by Type > Other Practical Theatre Crafts > BA Technical And Production Arts

BA Technical And Production Arts - BA (Hons) Degree

Course Description:

The BA in Technical and Production Arts is a highly vocational programme. We are committed to the providing students with a skills-base from which they can develop their chosen specialist knowledge through experimentation and discovery. We work in a team-based environment where strong individuals will succeed by working in intensely collaborative ways.

Our standards are rooted to professional practice, which is why our graduates continue to enjoy the broadest range of career opportunities available and invariably find employment within a few weeks of graduating. We believe this a strong reflection of the high level of training and education we provide and a true sign of the industry's confidence in that training.

We want students to achieve a full and meaningful career, and so we endeavour to ensure that they leave the Academy with an effective professional working style and process, which embodies skills in problem-solving and creative interpretation, discipline and conduct, team work and technical know how.

As well as our expert Programme team, we also draw on the valuable input of colleagues from the industry, to ensure that the quality, values and standards of our training remain rooted in the profession. We do this so that our graduates can enjoy career options and employment opportunities at the highest levels.

Over three years of full time study students are provided with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to realise their potential as independent artists or technicians in their chosen field. Initially, the foundations of the production process and related knowledge and skills are laid, enabling a broad based understanding of the technical and production arts for performance and their inter-relation with each other. Following this the students are encouraged through formal classes and practical projects to explore the application of their own specialist subject and related subjects generally within a production context. Finally, the focus of study fixes entirely on the student's specialist study, which they are able to develop and professionalise on Academy shows or work placement opportunities through out the year all the while gaining a deeper and wider knowledge and understanding of their craft. Production work is undertaken at all levels of study over the three years as the Academy offers a wide range of performance opportunities where BATPA students can collaborate with other programmes towards public and non-public performance outcomes.

In summary, the Programme is structured as follows: Year One is a year of foundation, which introduces the student to the departmental practices within the Technical and Production Arts in general and their chosen subject strand specifically. Initially, they are introduced to the performance environment, the importance of health and safety and the basic skills required in each area of the production process. Then through formal teaching and practical project work the Programme subdivides into the three subject strands, Design including set/costume design and lighting design; Applied Arts & Construction including Scenic Art, Set Construction, Props Construction and Costume Construction or Production including Management For Performance, Stage Technology and Production Lighting & Sound.

Applicants must select which strand they wish to follow at the point of interview. Critical and Contextual Studies and Professional Practice strands bring all students together to introduce and develop areas such as study skills and creative and cultural awareness.

Year Two is a year of development, which focuses on building skill and knowledge in relevant subject areas through both formal teaching and practical production related projects enabling the student to be guided down a focused individual pathway towards employment. Within their subject strand they will begin to develop their relevant skills and knowledge and apply these in practical production contexts throughout the year. Outside the chosen subject strand there is the opportunity to take an elective study, which is designed to both reinforce the student's professional portfolio whilst allowing them to diversify outside their main subject area. Modules in both Critical and Contextual Studies and Professional Practice reinforce employment skills and personal research methodologies.

Year Three is a year of professionalising practice enabling a deepening understanding and practical application of their chosen role in a production context. At this level students are encouraged to take full responsibility both for themselves and their co-workers. They experience team leadership and self-determined study enabling them to take control and learn both by their own experiences and by guiding others. Allocated to senior roles in busy production workshops or on fully mounted productions, they are encouraged to work alongside staff and visiting guests as professional practitioners. Master classes are scheduled throughout the year to reinforce production practice-based learning.

A self-determined research project encourages students to be self-motivated and disciplined in private research and presentation techniques. They are also encouraged to take control of their futures, by taking a deeper look at arts policy and practice as well as entrepreneurship. The final year students present their own Graduation Show at the end of the spring term.

If you would like to talk more about your study options on the BA in Technical and Production Arts then please do not hesitate to contact the Programme Leader, Ros Maddison at r.maddison@rsamd.ac.uk or by phone on 0141 270 8326.

Return to Other Practical Theatre Crafts List

• The Courses Introduction
• Courses by Type
• Courses by College
• Courses within the Industry
• Add a Course

sponsored by: