Study Programme

Technical Theatre

Without a theatre or a technical team there would be no performance. A backstage team is vital to any show, gig, festival or event. This course equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to be part of this essential team within the performing arts industry. Whatever technical aspect you are interested in - lighting, sound, stage management or front of house - this course gives you the opportunity to experience them all.

Course overview

In your first year...

In Year 1, you develop your technical theatre skills, this includes lighting, sound, stage management and front of house. You have the opportunity to put these skills into practice by taking on a range of practical roles in a live setting and becoming part of a production team.

You also develop and create your own installation that showcases your technical skills, creativity and teamwork.

In your second year...

In Year 2, you continue to develop your technical skills and knowledge, specialising in an area of your choice. You work on a range of projects and live performances, concluding with a final major project. You are given more responsibility and take on more senior roles within the production team.

Course highlights

Provide regular technical support for performances in our 100-seat Willy Russell Studio.
Experience working with industry-standard technical theatre equipment.
Collaborate with the Design for Performance students to create a live installation showcasing your work.
Experience trips to regional and national arts venues, theatres and galleries.
Work alongside students from other disciplines to put on a range of performances throughout the year.
Experience working in a live theatre environment that replicates the professional industry.
Benefit from industry-experienced tutors who have a wealth of technical knowledge and performance experience and are still active in the industry.
Upon completing this course, you can apply for university or drama school, or an apprenticeship within a production company or theatre. Throughout both years, you work with students from other disciplines to put on a range of performances - some in our own theatre space and others at venues across Liverpool. You also benefit from workshops delivered by industry professionals.

Skills to be developed

Front of House

Venue Management
Marketing

Lighting & Sound

Design
Programming
Operating

Research & Context

Production design from text
Presentation & portfolio building

Stage Management

Scheduling, Logistics & Budgeting of a production
Show Calling & Management of the rehearsal room
Prop Sourcing/Making

What our students go on to do

Students who have recently graduated from our Technical Theatre course have gone on to study at:

Guildhall School of Acting: GSA
Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Rose Bruford College
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Enrichment activities

We offer a range of enrichment activities alongside your studies, which vary from year to year depending on our students' interests. Previous enrichment activities have included directing, scriptwriting, our weekly lunchtime gigs the Soundcheck Sessions, knitting club, theatre special effects makeup, LGBTQ club, choir and football.

Did you know?

Some of our alumni have recently worked on theatre productions, such as ‘Sunset Boulevard’, ‘Bat Out of Hell: The Musical’, and ‘Tina, The Musical’.

Not all Technical Theatre alumni go into theatre; some go on to work on festivals and events - such as ‘Creamfields’, The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, and the Paralympics. We also have some alumni who are currently working on Carnival Cruises and Disney Cruise Line as part of their in-house production team.

How do I apply?

The details of what applicants are asked to do can be found below, to help you prepare in advance of your presentation and interview.

Presentations and interviews are held in February and March, and decision emails are sent out shortly afterward.

Apply Now

Alumni

Today I am currently working within the local music scene in Liverpool, with some fellow ex students, including Hope Dann, and even record in Ians Studio in Bootle.

None of the last 5 years would have been possible if I didn't achieve the skills et and confidence from my experience at LSFC, and I'm forever grateful how this has impacted my life to this day. From a techie to a performer now, and part time techie. I say thank you.

Josh Jones

LSFC gave me a professional outlook on how the creative arts industry is run. Even though I didn't go into stage management, I decided to do a degree path in Music Management, and I would like to go on to do a masters in Entertainment Law to be a solicitor within the creative arts space. Through my time at LSFC, I learned that even though I may be dyslexic, I can still be incredible at my craft, balancing multiple roles or duties, having an education catered to be both practical and written with many supporting staff members.

During my LSFC graduation in 2022, Theresa Hailwood gave a speech about striving to do something you love, and it's never too late to change paths. And through that speech is what drove me to find a role within the industry I love and have dedicated my life to, and even though I may not have gone on to do Stage Management or Technical Theatre, I gained so many transferable skills through Technical Theatre and the support I have gained from staff even after leaving is incredible.

Megan A B Jones

I was offered the amazing opportunity to have three weeks of work experience on Jamie Lloyd’s upcoming production of 'Evita'. I've now worked with the sound department, gaining hands-on experience during the load-in and technical rehearsals for the show.

Ted Clewlow

I have just finished my time at Mountview and I am currently up at Edinburgh working for Pleasance as a Technical Supervisor (Sound Bias) where I work with a production team as there sound support, covering 5 venues with 43 different production every day. I am on call for any sound issues that my arise, while I am on call I am also teaching volunteers that run the venues day to day, the teaching can range from basic Qlab to OSC and networking.

I have been working freelance down in London, working on small one night shows as a general tech while studying.

While at Mountview I was focusing on lighting but have also found a love for sound specifically sound 2/3. While at Mountview I have worked on multiple shows in all roles possible, including sound one two and three, follow spot operator, LX operator, production electrician, LX programmer, production manager and many more. Some Mountview show highlights are, Charlie and the chocolate factory (The Mack theatre) as production electrician and flys, Sunday in the park with George (The Mack theatre) as sound no.3 and Peter Pan (The Backstage Theatre and schools tour) as sound no.1.

Kian Reeves

I first became interested in Technical Theatre whilst working on school productions and decided to go to LIPA Sixth Form College after attending an open day.

What I love most about studying at LIPA Sixth Form College is the staff. The support you receive is massive and you’ll often find them going above and beyond to ensure students are happy and comfortable. Every single member of staff wants nothing but for the students to succeed. It truly is a special place.

The facilities are great and working on industry standard equipment has allowed me to excel and already take my skills to bigger venues. My ambition is to be a touring production electrician and lighting programmer. LIPA Sixth Form College has put me on the right path to achieving this.

Lewis Harper