BA (Hons) Stage And Production Management at University of Bolton

Course Details

This BA (Hons) Stage Management and Production course is designed to give you the opportunity to be successful in a competitive market place. It is a vocationally-orientated course and provides a unique focus into working in the live events Industry. The programme is the first of its kind dedicated to the stage management and production of festival stages, large scale events, parades, fashion shows and conferences.

At the University of Bolton our courses are designed to address the current and future needs of employers nationally and globally, and to enhance your lifelong career prospects. On this exciting course you’ll be given a challenging academic environment, focused on developing your full potential. The University and Backstage Academy both have longstanding links with industry professionals and employers, providing the opportunity for you to learn exactly what you need to know.

Our highly qualified and experienced programme staff are keen to make the time you spend with them as academically stimulating and rewarding as possible. The staff team enjoy a well-deserved reputation for being approachable and interested in your progress. As teaching often takes place in small groups, you’ll have individual support and guidance at every stage.

Key Features:

• This course is highly distinctive as it focuses on equipping you with the skills and knowledge to stage manage a wide range of live music and festival events, conferences, street parades, corporate events, and parties.
• It’s directly aimed at your employability, and has been developed with industry experts who stage manage these types of events on a daily basis.
• You’ll start with an in-depth look at traditional theatre-based stage management techniques and also study basic lighting, sound, staging and video. You’ll look at stage management across a wide range of events.
• As well as traditional lectures, seminars, examinations and tutors your learning will be enhanced with visits from a variety of experienced guest speakers. Master class seminars will be provided by industry professionals.
• Resources at Backstage Academy allow you to gain first-hand experience of a live working environment at the centre of the events sector, and provide access to the latest computing systems, software and technology.
• You’ll have the opportunity to gain the personal and professional skills needed to work successfully in the industry worldwide. The facilities, equipment provision and industry linkages are unique within Europe.

Career Opportunities

A stage manager controls everything surrounding a stage production. You could be involved in planning the rehearsal and creating a safe environment for actors and stage crew, as well as coordinating the efforts of the designers, technicians, choreographer, and director. In short, stage managers make sure it all comes together flawlessly during performance time.

Stage managers should be good planners and organisers, with a knack for multi-tasking, prioritising and keeping calm under pressure and in a crisis. Some of the key transferable skills you’ll possess as a graduate include team work, interpersonal and communication skills, planning and time management, project management, critical awareness, negotiation and pursuing goals.

What Can I Do With This Qualification?

As a graduate holding BA (Hons) Stage Management and Production, you'll have a range of career options to pursue within the live events industry, including live music, conference and corporate events, fashions shows, parties and weddings and private events on an international basis. In recent years, graduates from Backstage Academy courses have gone on to a wide range of roles in industry, from touring with major acts such as Jay Z, to working on festivals and large scale events such as opening ceremonies, to following careers as venue and production technicians.

Upon completion of your BA (Hons) Stage Management and Production degree, you’ll have the opportunity to progress your studies further to range of postgraduate study options, leading to master’s, research and doctoral qualifications, some of which include events management, creative events management, venue management, international hospitality, and exhibition management.

Alternative Career Options

• Production
• Technician
• Lighting design
• Agent
• Teaching and education
• Journalism
• Corporate event management
• Venue management
• Theatre consultancy
• Film making
• Music video direction
• Public relations
• Advertising