Going Solo: Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Friday, March 1, 2024
Hosting a vibrant, international community of young musicians, actors, and production artists in the heart of the City of London, Guildhall School outlines its BA Production Arts in Theatre Technology
David Monteith-Hodge/ Guildhall
Guildhall School of Music & Drama trains creative, resourceful and highly skilled performers and practitioners and is ranked number one in Arts, Drama & Music by the Complete University Guide 2024.
As a Theatre Technology student, you will work on practical projects across our three performance venues to develop your knowledge of rigging, electrics, networks and control, live sound, flying and stage automation. You will also learn about lighting, sound and video design, with opportunities to specialise in your final year. As you develop your own craft, you will progress from learning about programming and show operation to managing and designing a wide range of productions across theatre, opera and beyond. Your classes and exercises will prepare you for the responsibilities to come when you join creative teams internally and externally.
Modules
You will also take the core module, Associated Studies, which allows you to take three short courses in other areas of Production Arts such as Prop Making, Stage Management, Scenic Construction, Costume or Scenic Art – expanding your creative skillset in a new area while allowing you to further enhance your student experience.
During your studies, students spend two terms in leading roles on Guildhall productions such as Production Electrician, Production Sound Engineer, Sound Number One, Technical Stage Manager or Production Manager. You will also be given the opportunity to design lighting, sound, video or automation for various school productions. Alongside this, you will undertake a six-week work placement and complete a Graduation Project, gaining experience off-campus to build your professional network ready for post study employment.
Our Production Arts Department at Guildhall has long been recognised as providing innovative and world leading practical theatre, arts production and live event training. The School boasts technical and performance facilities which are among the best in the world, including our fully automated proscenium theatre, studio theatre with tension wire grid, scenic, props and lighting workshops, student production offices and more.
Funding and scholarships
Our Supported Application Scheme offers eligible undergraduate applicants advice and guidance, a free application, funded travel to London for on-site auditions and interviews, and invitations to audition and interview preparation workshops. If you live in a low-income household, check out whether you could be eligible before you submit your application at gsmd.ac.uk/access
Entry requirements
Alongside UCAS tariff points or equivalent, upon application students will be required to prepare a portfolio of work relevant to their chosen pathway or programme. Further information about the portfolio will be sent to applicants after submission of their application and in advance of their interview.
Application method/Audition
Applications are made directly to Guildhall School through our online application portal. When you apply for a programme in our Production Arts department and you meet the entry requirements, you will be invited to an interview. We aim to make your interview day as informative and enjoyable as possible. When you interview in London at the School, you will spend a whole day with us. This gives you the opportunity to assess what Guildhall has to offer you, as well as giving us the chance to get to know you. During the interview process you will have the opportunity to discuss the training with current students.
Work experience
Recent placements undertaken by Theatre Technology students include:
- Automation for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End
- Production management at the National Theatre, Cirque du Soleil and Autograph Sound
- AV/video at Glyndebourne Festival Theatre
- Lighting department at the Kiln Theatre and for The Prince of Egypt in the West End
- Rigging department for The House of Dancing Water, Macau
Cross-disciplinary practice
Undisciplined is a pioneering extra-curricular programme of funding, workshops, residencies and events designed to support students to collaborate across, between and beyond disciplines and to push at the boundaries of their artistic practice. Throughout the year, students can access a range of undisciplined opportunities in addition to their regular programmes of study. From receiving funding of up to £2,000 to support new collaborative projects, to taking part in intensive workshops with leading industry professionals, undisciplined invites students to experiment, innovate and unlock their artistic imaginations.
Email: pa_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
Information is correct at the time of publishing.
