Course
Overview


This highly practical course enables you to develop and hone your skills as a creative technician, stage manager or designer.
By working on our extensive programme of public performances, you become a versatile practitioner, who feels equally at home working on theatre, film and TV, dance, music and site-specific performances. Our approach allows you to create your own pathway and curate a compelling CV and portfolio that matches your ambitions.
This course was previously titled BA (Hons) Theatre & Performance Technology |
Accreditated By:

What You Will
Study
CAD And Essential Production Skills
In this module, you gain the basic working knowledge and practical skills to allow you to meet industry expectations while employing safe working practices. You develop scenic construction workshop techniques and soldering skills, and learn about stage technology including flying and rigging systems. In order to work safely, you cover areas including electrical and fire safety, and working at height. You learn how to use essential design software such as AutoCAD, Photoshop and other visualisation platforms which you will use throughout the course.
This module content is indicative.
The Context 1
This module helps you place your work in a broad socio-cultural context. You learn about the development of the performing arts and the role that design and technology has played. Building an understanding of key external and contextual forces, you look at how these shape the practice and evolution of specific areas within the performing arts and wider culture. You develop critical and analytical skills that lay the foundations for your future work.
This module content is indicative.
Design And Construction Skills
Through this module, you build a wide range of practical design and construction skills relating to set design and realisation and how this fits into the production process. You focus on how to make scale models to convey ideas, taking audience considerations into account. Looking at the role of technical drawings in developing designs, you produce hand-drawn technical drawings to present relevant information. In the scenic workshop, you learn how to choose and use tools and materials, apply finishing techniques, including an introduction to scene painting and the process for set get-in and assembly.
This module content is indicative.
Essential Lighting (TPT)
In this module, you explore the theory and practice of stage lighting, from design to rigging and from first specifications to live show operation. You are introduced to professional standards required of a lighting technician, the different roles within a professional lighting crew and how they relate to each other. You learn about and are given practical opportunities to familiarise yourself with the main types of lighting instruments, their rigging, focusing and use, and the different means of control and operation during live performance. The module examines the different types of relevant creative and technical paperwork.
This module content is indicative.
Essential Sound
This module provides a comprehensive introduction to basic theories, skills and technologies used in theatre sound reinforcement and design. Theoretical topics covered include the physics of sound and acoustic considerations. You learn how to use monitors, consoles and microphones effectively and develop skills in digital recording and editing and using FX processors and loops. You also look at fault finding and testing. There is a focus on conveying sound design through plots, plans and cues and using these to run a show.
This module content is indicative.
Essential Stage Management
Through this module, you build an understanding of the organisational patterns, skills and knowledge to carry out stage manager duties in pre-production, rehearsal and performance of theatrical productions. This includes the principles of blocking, finding and creating props, and you receive a basic introduction to understanding scale floor plans and operating flying systems. You gather experience in making up a prompt copy and learn about the protocol of calling a show while working within professional standards. You also learn how the stage manager role fits into the production process alongside actors, designers, directors and production managers.
This module content is indicative.
The Professional 1
This module is designed to help you achieve sustained work in your chosen profession. You learn about the different elements involved in putting on an event, including planning, budgeting, rights and clearances and digital marketing. By working as part of a small team with students from other subjects to create a one-off event, you learn first-hand about the importance of collaborating and develop essential interpersonal skills including negotiation and persuasion. Through this module, you also learn to reflect on your own personal and professional attributes and skills. This self-development technique stands you in good stead throughout your professional career.
This module content is indicative.
The Context 2
In this module, you explore the performing arts within a wider contemporary cultural, social and political context to broaden and deepen your understanding of your discipline and its surrounding issues. You focus on major cultural movements of the last 40 years which have influenced the production of the performing arts. Your study is supported by field visits and attending shows. You examine an issue, contemporary genre, practitioner or movement of your choice to produce a research portfolio. This furthers your critical and analytical skills.
This module content is indicative.
The Placement
This module gives you industry experience and insight through a placement with a professional organisation or company in the performance, design and production industries. This gives you the opportunity to use and practice many of the skills learned on the course so far in a professional environment, as well as develop new practical skills and make possible contacts for future employment. During the placement, you keep a detailed log of your experience before producing a critical evaluation of what you’ve learned.
This module content is indicative.
Production Management
Through this module, you learn about the extensive role of the production manager and develop the technical understanding of performance required to perform this role. Areas covered include running production meetings, scheduling, finance and personnel. There is an emphasis on the importance of health and safety regulations. You also develop useful personal attributes such as the ability to problem solve and cope well under pressure, as well as excellent ‘people skills’ and the ability to motivate staff. You apply this learning to practical work, including taking on a production manager role on an in-house performance.
This module content is indicative.
Production Process
In this module, you are given further opportunity to put your learning into practice by working on a LIPA production. You are allocated a more significant role than in Year 1, with a greater set of responsibilities. This allows you to develop a better understanding of a practical role and how it fits within the production process. You are given more independence and along with fellow students assume collective responsibility for setting goals, meeting deadlines and fulfilling given briefs. This module also allows you to further develop your collaborative and interpersonal skills.
This module content is indicative.
The Professional 2
This module provides you with the appropriate employment and enterprise skills to pursue a career in theatre design and technology. This includes reviewing employment and business structures and practices within the live arts economy, business and event planning, negotiation, self-employment, and financial and tax planning. You identify potential career opportunities, including enterprise start-up and development, and create a career plan. Throughout the module, you apply your learning to practical projects and undertake substantial professional practice, including a collaborative project with students from other degrees.
This module content is indicative.
Vocational Skills Project 1 & 2
Through these modules, you extend the range of skills you developed in Year 1. Across two practical projects, you have the option to specialise and study specific areas of theatre and performance design. This allows you to match your learning and development to your career ambitions. Areas of focus could include sound, lighting and AV design, stage management and prop making and electrical roles. Your work in these modules allows you to gain a greater understanding of the professional context of these areas of production.
This module content is indicative.
21st Century Venue
This module develops your understanding of the modern day performance venue, from infrastructural needs to architectural innovation and the technological requirements of contemporary and future performance spaces. Your learning addresses the emerging roles such as theatre consultants and acousticians to broaden your potential career path. Other areas covered include automation, network technology, legislation and changing economic and ecological factors affecting productions. In response to the growth of site-specific work, you also learn about the processes behind transforming a found space for public performance.
This module content is indicative.
The Assistant
In this module, you gain experience of simulated professional practice which reflects your own career aspirations. This involves realising one project in full from conception to evaluation. In Year 3, you will have advanced to head of department level in your practical work. However, recognising that your first professional role will most likely be as an assistant, this module allows you to reconnect with an assistant role while demonstrating professional-level work. You strengthen your self-management skills and critically evaluate your own work, presenting this evaluation verbally.
This module content is indicative.
Context 3
In this module, you investigate an idea at the forefront of your own practice and career goals. Through your work, you build upon the theoretical knowledge and research skills developed in previous Context modules. You identify a topic to explore based on your potential career, conduct your own research and evaluate information, ideas and concepts from a wide range of sources to produce a final dissertation.
This module content is indicative.
The Professional 3
This module prepares you for finding and pursuing employment opportunities in your chosen field. You deepen your understanding of how the performing arts sector operates to enable you to explore the full range of opportunities available to you. You develop a confident understanding of your own practice, and create a career action plan based on individual research. There is also a focus on the value of self-generated projects and how to develop your creative ideas. You discuss and develop interview techniques, taking part in a final interview about your work in this module.
This module content is indicative.
Vocational Practice
In this module, you gain experience of simulated professional practice which reflects your own career aspirations. This involves developing at least two professional-standard projects in full from conception to evaluation. Much of this will centre around performances and projects at LIPA, but you can also propose your own independent work. Through your projects, you further your knowledge of how your chosen area of the industry functions and strengthen your self-management skills. You critically evaluate your own work and present this evaluation verbally.
This module content is indicative.
How You Will
Study
-
Workshops
-
Practical Productions
-
Lectures
-
Tutorials
-
Seminars
-
Group Work
-
Independent study
-
Masterclass
How You Will Be
Assessed
You are continually assessed on your practical work and contributions to projects. Written evaluations of your practical work and debriefs once a project has been completed are also part your assessment, along with portfolio projects and practical observations. You also produce a research project exploring an area of your choice.
Practical/written work ratio
80% practical work / 20% written assignments
Validated By:


Richard Reddrop
Head of Theatre and Performance Design and Technology
Richard spent over 15 years as a stage manager at the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. While at the National he worked with many leading figures in British theatre including Richard Eyre, Matthew Bourne and Harold Pinter and writers such as Edward Bond, Tom Stoppard and Carol Churchill. Richard also produced the Everyman Theatre’s 40th birthday season celebrations involving performers such as Julie Walters, Willy Russell and Jonathan Pryce. Richard believes the best way to become a great stage manager is through first-hand experience. His understanding of the requirements and expectations of the industry means he can guide students to reach a professional standard of work.

Ashley Shairp
Course Leader Theatre & Performance Design Lecturer
Ashley has designed numerous shows for theatre and companies around the UK, ranging through classical drama, new plays, musicals, pantomimes, dance work and outdoor promenade performances. He has always been very hands-on with scene painting and prop making. Ashley’s current venture, with partner Sam Heath, is Solotoria, a theatre-for-one extravaganza which has been exhibited at the Prague Quadrennial and the V&A in London. He says that making performance should be fun, and this has permeated all of his work and teaching. Ashley firmly believes in ‘having a go’ without fear of failing or taking risks, and he encourages students to do the same.

Paul Halgarth
Lecturer
Paul has worked as a freelance lighting designer, re-lighter, lighting control programmer and production electrician. He has worked for the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield and West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds on drama, musical and dance productions, as well as co-productions with Birmingham Rep, Liverpool Everyman, Phoenix Dance Theatre and Slung Low, among many others. He exhibited a lighting design for Flight Paths at the exhibition, Make: Believe in 2015. Paul’s experience with some of the industry’s leading lighting designers and creative teams on different scale events means he can impart industry-standard practices and equip students with the skills needed to work in the field.

Lois Maskell
Lecturer
Lois has been shortlisted for the Linbury Prize for Stage Design and was a finalist in the BBC Design Vision competition. Recent collaborations as a set and costume designer include Action Transport Theatre, 20 Stories High, Royal Exchange in Manchester and the BBC comedy series The Mighty Boosh. In 2012, her site-specific designs for renowned company dreamthinkspeak were selected to represent UK design for performance in an exhibition at the V&A Museum in London. She believes that giving students the freedom to learn is essential for them to develop new skills. Her continued professional practice ensures her teaching is current and reflects industry standards.

Emma Wright
Lecturer
Emma worked as a design assistant, scene painter, prop maker and production co-ordinator at a special effects creature workshop at Shepperton Studios, before becoming a production manager at the Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse. She enjoys running explorative making workshops and using her breadth of experience to mentor students on their production work, encouraging them to apply and develop their skills on varied projects. Emma feels that learning on the job is a great way to nurture practical skills, as well as a committed work ethic and collaborative skills – and hopefully have fun at the same time.

Karen Berg
Lecturer
From a very early age Karen has been passionate about clothes and costume. Having trained in Fashion Design at Loughborough College of Art & Design, she began her career in costume, as a wardrobe assistant at the prestigious Haymarket Theatre Leicester (now the Curve Theatre), during which time she had the opportunity to work with some prestigious designers and actors. The following year she became head of wardrobe in Leicester at the Phoenix Arts Centre. Her costume design career took off in Liverpool, at the Everyman Theatre where she spent 10 years as costume designer and head of costume. Since the mid-1980s Karen’s career has been firmly based in the Northwest where she has also had the opportunity to work in most areas of the industry including theatre, Film, TV and commercials. In the early part of this century Karen, worked on the award-winning teen drama Hollyoaks, as art director. In more recent years Karen has returned to the world of costume and fashion, to teach within Liverpool Education Authority, City of Liverpool Community College and now LIPA. Karen is a fully qualified teacher at post 16 years with a Cert Ed & a PGCert. Karen is also a member of The Costume Society & the teaching union, UCU and sits on LIPA’s Green Team committee, whose aim is to make LIPA a more sustainable and environmentally active institution.
What Our
Graduates Do
Our graduates work in theatre, musicals, live music, large-scale events and television in a variety of roles, including lighting technicians and programmers, lighting designers, sound designers and operators, stage managers, production managers, producers, riggers, scenic carpenters and props makers. Their career achievements have included:
Tracey Gibbs (2019)
Lighting and video designer. Lead Artist for Arts Council England funded R&D project HOYO
Kate Condon (2018)
Production coordinator for visual effects and animation studio at DNEG
Alice Barry (2017)
Project and event coordinator at Brandfuel Ltd, brand experience agency with clients such as Google.
Joshua Clague (2016)
Assistant production manager at Eventim Apollo. He also co-founded two companies and was co-director of documentary film Road of Giants, released on Amazon Prime.
Rebecca Gee (2016)
Assistant stage manager on shows including Little Shop of Horrors at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and The Ferryman, 9 to 5 the Musical and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, all West End.
Johanna Jenson (2015)
Stage manager at Hålogaland Theatre in Tromsø, Norway.
Javier Pando (2015)
Sound operator for shows including Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake tour and Girl from the North Country, West End. He was formerly sound no. 2 for National Theatre.
Dave Baxter (2014)
Freelance lighting technician. He recently worked on Britney Spears’ Piece of Me tour around the USA and Europe. Other work includes Drake’s world tour and comedian Bill Bailey.
Jonathan Sims (2012)
Director, Events Design Company Limited. Its credits include UEFA Champions Legue Final 2021, UEFA Euros 2020, Liverpool Giants 2018.
Marec Joyce (2007)
Technical operations manager for the Pleasance Theatre Trust in Edinburgh. Responsible for the organisation’s technical operations at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Educational qualifications are important but limited in what they can tell us about you.
Your natural ability, your fit with what and how we teach, your growth and your potential are also key factors in our admission process. We can’t evaluate these solely on your educational achievements, so no matter which course you are applying for, we look for the following attributes on your application and at the interview stage.
Additional Costs
As part of this course, there are likely to be some additional costs that are not included within your tuition fees. Many of these are optional. We’ve also included information about cost of living expenses in Liverpool in this section.
Equipment
There are a number of things you will be required to have at the beginning of your course. We understand that most students have to work to a very tight budget so we have limited the required tools to those that are absolutely essential for you to be able to start work here. We will send you a list of essentials before you enrol but items you are likely to need will include an LED head torch, comfortable safety (steel toe cap) shoes as well as rulers, craft knives, a junior hacksaw and a good set of drawing pens and pencils.
You may need other equipment as you progress through your studies, but in addition to these standard items Technicians will need spanners, insulated screwdrivers, a multi-tool and a tool belt, but more specific requirements will be sent to you before enrolment.
At the very end of the course each technician is required to create a professional standard portfolio. There are inevitably printing and binding costs associated with this task, but most people see it as an important investment for their future career.
Trips and training courses
As part of the various modules on the programme, some class trips may be offered to help support your learning. Some of these will form part of the curriculum but most will be important additions to your work. Some trips may be free or subsidised but you may be required to cover some costs yourself.
Throughout your studies there will also be opportunities to attend training courses that will help you enhance your skills and employability. These are not compulsory but you will have to make a contribution towards the cost of the training courses you choose to attend. The opportunities offered vary each year but past courses have included First Aid training and Cueing to Music.
Seeing shows
You should see live performances as often as you can. This is not a compulsory, but it will help your development as a technician. Theatre visits are not covered by your tuition fees, so you’ll need to cover these costs yourself. Most theatres offer student discounts for tickets (becoming a member of YEP means you have access to cheap tickets at the Liverpool Playhouse and Everyman Theatre) and we are occasionally offered a limited number of free or discounted tickets for shows in the city. We also encourage you to see all LIPA shows. We offer discounted student tickets to make this as affordable as possible. Every year we organise trips to theatres in Manchester. In these cases, ticket costs and travel needs to be met by each individual.
Cost of living
Wherever you choose to study, you'll have to budget for accommodation and other everyday living expenses, such as food and bills.
Liverpool represents great value for students. Accommodation costs are low in comparison with other places in the UK, particularly the South East. The city's shops and entertainment venues also have lots of student discounts.
We’d recommend completing a simple budget plan to predict your income and outgoings. This should include accommodation, bills, insurance, TV licence, food, laundry, clothes, books, travel and socialising. How much you'll want to spend on a lot of these is completely personal.
There is lots of advice available online about budgeting,:
- UCAS budget calculator is a great tool to help you balance your in-comings and out-goings.
- SaveTheStudent provides useful information on student money resources, including loans, budgeting, and scholarship sources.
Most UK students will be able to take out a maintenance loan to assist with living costs and there are some grants available. We also offer some bursaries. To find out more, please see Student Finance and bursaries.
Because our courses are intensive and we have a busy season of student performances, options for part-time work during our teaching periods can be limited. However, many of our students gain flexible part-time work, in performance venues, shops, restaurants and bars. We also provide casual work opportunities for our students ranging from stewarding work on our productions to working with young people to help us widen access to our courses. The long summer break is when many of our students choose to work.
Additional Costs
As part of this course, there are likely to be some additional costs that are not included within your tuition fees. Many of these are optional. We’ve also included information about cost of living expenses in Liverpool in this section.
Equipment
There are a number of things you will be required to have at the beginning of your course. We understand that most students have to work to a very tight budget so we have limited the required tools to those that are absolutely essential for you to be able to start work here. We will send you a list of essentials before you enrol but items you are likely to need will include an LED head torch, comfortable safety (steel toe cap) shoes as well as rulers, craft knives, a junior hacksaw and a good set of drawing pens and pencils.
You may need other equipment as you progress through your studies, but in addition to these standard items Technicians will need spanners, insulated screwdrivers, a multi-tool and a tool belt, but more specific requirements will be sent to you before enrolment.
At the very end of the course each technician is required to create a professional standard portfolio. There are inevitably printing and binding costs associated with this task, but most people see it as an important investment for their future career.
Trips and training courses
As part of the various modules on the programme, some class trips may be offered to help support your learning. Some of these will form part of the curriculum but most will be important additions to your work. Some trips may be free or subsidised but you may be required to cover some costs yourself.
Throughout your studies there will also be opportunities to attend training courses that will help you enhance your skills and employability. These are not compulsory but you will have to make a contribution towards the cost of the training courses you choose to attend. The opportunities offered vary each year but past courses have included First Aid training and Cueing to Music.
Seeing shows
You should see live performances as often as you can. This is not a compulsory, but it will help your development as a technician. Theatre visits are not covered by your tuition fees, so you’ll need to cover these costs yourself. Most theatres offer student discounts for tickets (becoming a member of YEP means you have access to cheap tickets at the Liverpool Playhouse and Everyman Theatre) and we are occasionally offered a limited number of free or discounted tickets for shows in the city. We also encourage you to see all LIPA shows. We offer discounted student tickets to make this as affordable as possible. Every year we organise trips to theatres in Manchester. In these cases, ticket costs and travel needs to be met by each individual.
Cost of living
Wherever you choose to study, you'll have to budget for accommodation and other everyday living expenses, such as food and bills.
Liverpool represents great value for students. Accommodation costs are low in comparison with other places in the UK, particularly the South East. The city's shops and entertainment venues also have lots of student discounts.
We’d recommend completing a simple budget plan to predict your income and outgoings. This should include accommodation, bills, insurance, TV licence, food, laundry, clothes, books, travel and socialising. How much you'll want to spend on a lot of these is completely personal.
There is lots of advice available online about budgeting,:
- UCAS budget calculator is a great tool to help you balance your in-comings and out-goings.
- SaveTheStudent provides useful information on student money resources, including loans, budgeting, and scholarship sources.
Because our courses are intensive and we have a busy season of student performances, options for part-time work during our teaching periods can be limited. However, many of our students gain flexible part-time work, in performance venues, shops, restaurants and bars. We also provide casual work opportunities for our students ranging from stewarding work on our productions to working with young people to help us widen access to our courses. The long summer break is when many of our students choose to work.