Advanced Diploma of Live Production and Management Services, image courtesy of ACTT.
For the budding stage manager, show caller, deputy stage manager or assistant stage managers, admissions are now open at the Actors College of Theater & Television (ACTT). The Surry Hills located school offers an Advanced Diploma of Live Production and Management Services, a course designed to teach best practice in industry techniques of management, collaboration, administration and design and technical skills.
The year and a half course is taught by professionals working in the industry, including lecturer Ryan Tate, an events and stage manager experienced in children’s and musical theatre. Tate said that the course sets to arm students with the fundamental skills needed to gain employment.
‘Basically we are aiming at industry requirements for stage managers, so when they graduate they graduate with exactly what the industry requires of them,’ said Tate.
ACTT provides an immersive experience in the role and environment, with 40 productions produced by the college over the course of a year, together students collaborate from stage, screen acting and musical theatre courses. Providing stage management students from the beginning with the opportunity of producing work within the industry, which is crucial for that all important CV.
‘In the first semester they will get the small roles, so the Assistant Floor Manager roles to kind of start out at the ground level and we help them with what they need to do,’ said Tate. ‘It’s a really hands on experience which is really helpful in these instances as it’s all about trying to deal with issues that pop up during rehearsals and shows. It’s all about getting them used to the industry, how it works and thinking on your feet’.
Second semester students then have the opportunity to work in an operating commercial theatre, with the course having a key focus on industry pathways and career progression. Past graduates of stage management include alumni currently touring as Assistant Floor Manager with Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular.
Tate said applications are open to anyone, prior experience in a theatre environment not a fundamental prerequisite.
‘We’re keen to have a whole group of different people,’ said Tate. ‘With last year’s students, we had a couple that had been doing the amateur theatre circuit, lots of smaller shows, we had a couple that had been doing lighting design and wanted more of a stage management perspective. We just want to see that students are interested and but haven’t necessarily done shows before. Just an interest in where they want to go with it’.
For more information or to apply visit the ACTT website.
Or contact one of their friendly staff on +61 2 9213 4500 or info@actt.edu.au
