Dear Stage Management and Technical Theatre students,
On behalf of all the staff here at RWCMD, we would like to welcome you to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s Stage Management and Technical Theatre department. You are about to embark on a life changing experience, and we are here to help you, all the way.
When you join us in September, there will be so many different opportunities available to you, to learn new skills and use specialist equipment. Much of this learning happens in our theatres, studios and workshops. It’s therefore important we take this opportunity to remind you that these spaces are not only exciting and fun learning environments, but equally, they are places of work which means they come with a range of procedures and rules to help keep you and your fellow students safe in the workplace. These you will learn throughout your training.
Your first week will begin with a college Induction and Freshers week; leading into a programme of training where you will be lifting, carrying, climbing etc. We need to ensure your safety during all activities, and it is therefore essential that you dress appropriately for the work environment.
It is the policy of the college that steel toe capped boots/shoes are worn in all the theatre and workshop areas, therefore “Ballet” shoes, Flip Flops, Sandals etc. will not be permitted. Also, please bear in mind that there will be classes with access equipment (ladders, etc.) therefore skirts, dresses and baggy/loose clothing will often not be appropriate. Again, some classes may be in a ‘classroom’ yet there may still be lifting of heavy equipment involved, so we want you to be ready for those moments.
In addition, there will be some specific items you will need to own as part of your training. Further advice will be given when you start here, but these items will include:
- Scale Ruler (1:25 Metric Triangular).
- Rigging Gloves.
- 30m measuring tape.
- Multi tool (Leatherman or equivalent).
- Podger (17mm/19mm) /Quad Spanner (13mm/17mm/19mm/21mm).
- Backstage black clothing (black long sleeve shirt, Black trousers and black shoes).
- Torch/Head torch.
And finally, as you may recall from your interview, you should expect to be in college quite a lot during each week, both in classes and whilst working on productions. Of course, from time to time, there will be the requirement to work unsociable hours and weekends (which is in line with industry practice), and we will aim to communicate these in good time. Equally, although the College term dates are prescribed, there may well be times that your show or production will operate outside of these specified dates. Please do not pre book holidays/travel for weekends without checking with staff, so that nobody ends up disappointed.
We hope you have a good summer break and look forward to meeting you on 23rd September 2024.
The Stage Management & Technical Theatre Team