Since opening its doors in 1861, the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art has garnered an outstanding reputation for training actors, but it's also home to a pioneering Production & Technical Arts course. On this multi-faceted degree course, students will have the opportunity to train under industry professionals and develop the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience to forge long-lasting careers in theatre, film, television, live events, podcast and radio production, and more.
There's never been a better or more exciting time to train at LAMDA. Throughout your three years on this course, you'll train in three modern theatre spaces in West London, learn how to harness the capabilities of virtual production technology in LAMDA's own cutting-edge studios, and take part in a wide range of workshops and studios. You'll also take on a leading role in supporting LAMDA's public productions, from costume dramas to musicals to bold new works. As current Production & Technical Arts student Maia Thompson recently said, ‘We get to jump in and work on shows almost right away. That was a really big draw for me, as being very hands on and practical is the way I learn best. You work on four or five different shows in a year, across various roles, covering all aspects of technical theatre. It was exactly what I was looking for.’
Course highlights
In your first year, you'll develop a firm grounding in production and technical arts. You'll explore five core disciplines: Stage Management, Scenic Construction, Lighting, Sound and Virtual Production. You'll also be introduced to the core elements of stage, screen and audio production, and develop skills in prop making, first aid, fire safety and AutoCAD and Vectorworks.
In your second year, you'll undertake four senior production roles on LAMDA shows staged in one of our three performance spaces. Senior roles will also be available on our screen and audio projects, which are shot, recorded and edited by industry professionals. Modules include options in Stage Management, Lighting, Production Sound, Scenic Construction, Production Management, LX Design, Sound Design and Screen & Audio. Plus, you'll undertake a six-week placement, where you'll have the chance to put the skills you've learnt into practice in a professional environment.
In your final year, you'll undertake three more senior production roles including at least one as Head of Department. You'll also undertake another period of work-based learning within the industry and do an Independent Research Project related to your preferred discipline.
Funding & scholarships
LAMDA runs a Pathways Programme, which aims to remove barriers that prevent young people from accessing performing arts training. If you're a member of this programme, you're entitled to an application fee waiver and don't need to apply through UCAS. More details can be found at lamda.ac.uk/life-lamda/pathways-programme
LAMDA also offers several scholarships designed to support incoming Production & Technical Arts students with tuition fees and living costs.
Application process
Applications are made via UCAS. The deadline to apply is Spring 2025. There are no academic requirements for this course, but you should be able to demonstrate a passion for learning and practical work and have some experience of working backstage on a production, whether that's through school or in an amateur or professional production setting. Entrance to the course is then determined via an interview.
Graduate success
Graduates of LAMDA's Production & Technical Arts course have gone on to enjoy successful careers in the creative arts. Corben Jones (2019 graduate) is now Head of Lighting on the new production of Starlight Express at Wembly Troubadour Theatre. Rebecca Harris (2023 graduate) is an Assistant Stage Manager who spent a year on a world tour of Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet and was nominated for an SMA Award at the 2024 ABTT show.
In Playbill's recent Schools of the Stars coverage, LAMDA was also ranked as a top 10 global drama school for theatre practitioners working on Broadway.
Read more about our Production & Technical Arts course and what it's like to train at LAMDA in our new prospectus:
issuu.com/lamdadrama
lamda.ac.uk | @lamdadrama | admissions@lamda.ac.ukrsc.org.uk/learn/schools-and-teachers