Technical Theatre (Production and Design)

Are you looking for an opportunity to develop technical and creative skills in stage management, lighting, sound and visual technologies? Do you want to work on performances and make a production come to life? If so, our technical theatre degree could be the right option for you.

The University of Salford has a range of Technical Theatre degree options which allow both students who are new to the industry, and those who have existing experience but no current formal qualification, to gain a degree in Technical Theatre (Production and Design).

Designed to provide you with the skills you need to establish yourself in the theatre industry, you’ll use all the latest digital technologies to create lighting, sound and scenic design for a variety of staged events. You’ll work behind the scenes as a stage manager, a production manager, or a lighting or sound operator on a range of theatre and performance work. As you progress through your studies, you’ll work in a range of contexts, from theatre productions to fashion shows, and even producing your own performance work.

Based in our New Adelphi building, our technical theatre degree course is strongly focused on working with professional theatre and events practitioners, as well as students from other creative programmes. Technical theatre students have worked recently on a range of collaborations including our own version of the Eurovision Song Contest collaborating with music on the live production of new ‘Univision’ songs, and the Emergence Dance Festival with the acclaimed Josh Arnott Dance company. You’ll also have the chance to specialise in aspects of technical production – be that lighting, sound, video, stage/production management or set design. A range of optional modules allows you to explore other areas of interest, including directing, film production, multimedia performance or costume design – or you can undertake a professional work placement. This could be for just a couple of weeks, or you could transfer to our BA (Hons) Technical Theatre with Placement Year degree after your second year, completing a full academic year of work experience with one of our partner theatres in Greater Manchester.

You will:

• Develop the skills you need to take the first step in your professional theatre career

• Study in a creative environment while collaborating on live performance events and projects

• Choose from a range of specialised modules, from sound production and lighting to digital performance and production management

• Build a portfolio of work to demonstrate your skills to future employers

Course Modules

Year 1

• Critical and Textual Studies

• Introduction to Sound Design and Technology for the Stage

• Introduction to Lighting Design and Technology for the Stage

• Introduction to Design

• Stagecraft

• Critical and Contextual Approaches to Scenography

Year 2

• Design for Theatre

• Stages and Staging

• Technical Performance Project

• Technology in Performance

• Production Management (Principles)

You will be able to select an optional module from:

• Professional Environment

• Introduction to Multimedia Performance

• Introduction to Theatre Directing

• Production Design: Tools and Processes

• Radio and Podcasting Features

• Music Video Production

• Integrated Production Skills

Year 3

• Advanced Design for the Theatre

• Production Management Practices

• Collaborative Project

• Professional Practice