BA (Hons) in Stage Management

The Stage Management BA (Hons) degree is the first of its kind dedicated to delivering the next generation of Stage Managers for Live Events, including theatre, touring, corporate, sporting, and live outdoor events and festivals. There is an exciting range of events that require specialist stage management skills to ensure their smooth running, and it is with this course we give a unique insight into managing everything from theatre stages to TV location work, and sporting events to festivals.

Students learn through practical sessions and visiting professionals to gain a complete understanding of the role of a Stage Manager and the progression pathways. During the course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to successfully gain employment in a variety of exciting and demanding roles both nationally and internationally.

Part of Production Park in Wakefield, the complete pre-production and live events centre for the UK, Backstage Academy is surrounded by companies serving some of the biggest names in live events. With stage design, manufacturing, and touring production facilities, clients include Muse, Coldplay, Kylie and Rihanna, together with brands such as Jaguar, Aston Martin and Monster Energy.

Why Study This Course?

The Stage Management BA (Hons) is dedicated to delivering the next generation of Stage Managers for Live Events, including theatre, touring, corporate, sporting, live outdoor events and festivals. Starting with an in-depth study of traditional theatre based stage management techniques, you will then learn how to apply this knowledge across a range of sectors. You will learn how the role of the stage manager develops from rehearsal to performance and tour, and study ways in which your skills can be transferred to working on international events. This course will provide an understanding of the progression routes into employment in the stage management industry while ensuring a broad range of practical and work-based training.

Careers

As a graduate in Stage Management, you will have a range of career options to pursue within the live events industry, including live music, conference and corporate events, theatre, fashion shows, parties and weddings, and international events. The unique work experience embedded into the second and third years of the programme will ensure you have a competitive advantage over others graduating from similar programmes of study. It is a developing industry and opportunities are available to graduates with real-life vocational experience underpinned by theoretical academic study. In recent years graduates from Backstage Academy have gone on to a wide range of roles in industry, from touring with major acts such as Avenged Sevenfold and The Specials to working on festivals and the large-scale events such as opening ceremonies, to following careers as venue and production technicians.

Modules

Year 1:

• Academic and Professional Skills for the Events Industries
• Backstage Technical Skills
• Production Pre-planning and Rehearsal
• Production Realisation
• Events and Festival Stage Management
• Film and Television Location Work

Year 2:

• Work Placement
• Event Production Management
• Production Planning and Realisation
• Applied Stage Management Techniques
• Research Methods for Events Studies
• Career Development and Employability

Year 3:

• The Integrated Music and Live Events Production Business
• Showtime Strategic Project Management
• Events Logistics
• Stage Management Work Related Project
• Major Project

Assessment

As well as traditional lectures, seminars and tutorials your learning will be enhanced with visits from guest speakers and masterclass seminars from industry experts, international case studies, workshops and more importantly opportunities to work on live projects as part of both practical modules and work placement; giving you unique insights and a thorough understanding of stage management, operating in international markets and in a range of sectors. Assessment is via a range of methods, from developing a portfolio of your work and skills to practical assessment and research projects.

Admissions Criteria

For 2017 entry

You would normally have five GCSE’s at Grade C and above, to include passes in English Language, Maths and Science. In addition, you would:

Either have 104 UCAS points from at least two A levels in any subject, or a BTEC National qualification.

Or if you do not have 104 UCAS points, but have a minimum of two years relevant industry-based experience then we may still be able to offer you a place subject to you completing a diagnostic assessment and attending an interview.

If English is not your first language, you will need IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Miscellaneous

• Award: BA (Hons)
• UCAS Code: W450
• Mode of Attendance: Full time
• Duration: Three years
• Start Date: 25th September 2017
• Location: Unity Works Campus, Wakefield

Backstage Academy is where live industry learns. It’s everything that goes into creating live experiences, at the heart of where it all happens. It’s learning from people who have actually done it. It’s learning on a campus where some of the world’s biggest tours and productions are made and staged.

It’s walking amongst the designers, artists, technicians, producers and managers that are the best in the business. It’s getting your hands on cutting-edge equipment and technology that’s used by the industry. You end up with something far more valuable than a qualification on a piece of paper. This is not a testing ground, a mock experience or a simulation. This is the start of your incredible career in the live events and creative industries.