Technical And Production Management

Programme Information

Duration: 3 Years

Award: Diploma in Technical and Production Management

This programme equips you for employment in the fast-growing backstage management of people and technology in the Performing Arts Industry. You are given hands-on practice in LASALLE's drama, dance, musical theatre, and music productions, and are given opportunities to contribute to films, videos, and other forms of displays, exhibitions, and events. You are trained to develop your professional skills in managing all aspects of productions and events.

Most importantly, you are trained to project-manage productions: handle performers and artists; run rehearsals; manage the stage, set elements, costumes, and props from concept to public performance. You will learn to manage people, time and budget, and are empowered to work independently and as part of a team.

You will learn to work with actors, dancers, musicians, visual artists, and other technicians in planning and managing complex artistic and communication aspects.

You are taught and mentored by local and international theatre professionals, practitioners, and experts in the industry, plus well-established and well-known artists. Through the fulfillment of specialised responsibilities and acquired experiences, you will gain invaluable skills, knowledge, and strengths leading to a sustainable career in the arts.

Assessments: Assessment is an integral part of the learning process, and will be formative and diagnostic as well as summative and evaluative, providing feedback to students wherever appropriate. Read more about assessments here.

Placement learning is where students are offered opportunities to experience learning outside the classroom in real-life working environments or in approved partner institutions. Read more about placement learning here.

Modules

Level 1

Technical Production
The component is built around the understanding of how the production process works. Support skills like Standard First Aid and Fire Safety Awareness aim to provide you with the necessary know-how in the preservation of life that all technical theatre practitioners need to have at their disposal.

Stage & Technical Management (Introduction)
Stage Management component provides you with the fundamental skills necessary to be a professional Stage Manager. You gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of members of the Stage Management team and also explore how they contribute to the production process. Stage Mechanics & Technology component introduces you to the original as well as and the latest technologies of the theatre industry.

Production Elements (Introduction)
This module introduces you to the theoretical foundation in design disciplines, for example, Lighting, Sound, Set and Costume for theatre productions.

Contextual Studies
The three components in this module are:

• History of Performing Art and Visual Culture – Introduction to the development of drama, music and dance within a visual culture reaching the Western and Asian world.
• History of Theatre – Introduction to the development of theatre in the Western world, including the development of theatres in Singapore.
• Script Analysis – Provide the knowledge and skills to critically analyse different plays.

Theatre Internship
This module puts theories into practices, incorporating research skills and methodologies through the engagement of various in-house LASALLE stage productions.

Production Project 1
This module provides the platform to put to practice what has been taught in class, under real working conditions. You will acquire 'hands-on' technical experience.

Level 2

Stage & Technical Management 2
This Fundamentals of Production Management component introduces you to the organisational structures, requirements, budgetary implications, and management of theatre productions. Stage Management 2 examines stage management in different performing arts forms. You will learn the necessary skills and tools in preparing all related paperwork, running rehearsals, and staging the production.

Production Elements 2
This module further develops your skills and knowledge in lighting operation, sound operation, set construction, and costume making.

Contextual Studies 2
This module provides you with an appreciation and basic knowledge in the history of performing arts and visual arts. It encourages you to develop a cultural understanding and equip self with research skills in identifying different styles, forms, periods, and contexts.

Theatre Internship 2
This module allows you to start pursuing key areas of your chosen specialisation. It provides you with the necessary practical skills that are required for you to work as theatre professionals.

Production Project 2
The Assistant Production Manager component provides you with the knowledge of organizational management, budgetary allocation, and management of theatre productions. Stage Management 2 component exposes you to the Stage Manager's responsibilities in the performing arts – drama, musical, dance, opera, process theatre, and events.

Level 3

Stage, Technical & Production Management 3
This module explores the roles of Stage Manager, Technical Manager and Production Manager, and their job responsibilities throughout the entire production process and period. This module examines subjects from the views of stage, technical and production, and venue management.

Production Elements 3

This module exercises your acquired knowledge and skills of production elements as a designer. It familiarizes you with the process of developing creative concepts from a script, music or movement, resulting in the overall production design. This enables you to gain a better insight to the professional world through practice.

Contextual Studies 3

• The Southeast Asian Performance Culture – Introduction and familiarisation of the environment in which you will be working professionally.
• Business in the Arts World – Opportunity to familiarise yourself with the business aspects of the arts world, not only limited to Singapore but with an international perspective.
• Career Management – To provide the necessary tools to promote your skills and abilities in the performance market place.

Theatre Internship 3
This module prepares you to enter the professional world through a practical work placement. This can be either in the form of a secondment to a professional company as an intern, or in the role of an assistant to an industry-professional.

Performance Project 3
This module gives you a simulated professional environment in a performing arts company to assist high-quality theatre productions. It pushes you to acquired professional standards in preparing for further study or future career.

Faculty Members

Lecturer, Musical Theatre
William Edward Fisher

• BA Theatre Studies, Queensland University of Technology, Australia

William started work in the theatre industry as a technician in 1982 in New South Wales, Australia. After expanding to all facets of technical theatre and working on major international productions in various venues throughout Australia he moved to the United Kingdom where he worked with companies such as English National Opera, Scottish Opera, Saddler's Wells Ballet (Now the Birmingham Royal Ballet) and Heavy Metal group Iron Maiden as well as various corporate and fringe productions. William then went on to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in London. During this time he was to tour with the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera to venues like the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aries, The Grieghallen in Bergen, Det Kongelige Teater in Copenhagen and the Roman Theatre in Caesarea in Israel. In 1996 William moved to Singapore and began working on local theatre, dance and music productions as well as working on special effects installations in the region. At the same time William began to lecture in technical Theatre at Lasalle College of the Arts. William Commenced Study for a BA in Drama in 1999 and returned to Australia to complete some of his subjects at the Queensland University of Technology. After completing his Degree William worked freelance in the theatre industry in Southeast Asia and Australia. At the same time he was awarded the Brisbane Underground Theatre Festival prizes for Best Original Script and Best Director. William returned to Singapore in September 2010 to continue working at Lasalle College of the Arts.

Lecturer, Musical Theatre
Stavros Tobias Gordon Papazoglou

• MA of Theatre Arts in Directing, Te Kura Toi Whakaari O Aotearoa: New Zealand Drama School, New Zealand
• Diploma in Technical Production, Te Kura Toi Whakaari O Aotearoa: New Zealand Drama School, New Zealand

Toby graduated from Toi Whakaari: The New Zealand Drama School in 2002 with a Diploma and Technical Production. Rather than settle into only one area backstage Toby actively explored a wide range of professional positions and roles backstage specializing in Production Management, Set Design, Lighting Design and Stage Management for companies such as Downstage, Circa, Centrpoint and The New Zealand International Festival of the Arts. After establishing his career in the Technical Theatre industry Toby returned to Toi Whakaari and in conjunction with Victoria University of Wellington he completed his Master of Theatre Arts (Directing) in 2007. Having worked on productions in New Zealand, Australia and America Toby found himself washing up on the shores of Singapore and spent a year as the Technical Director for the Theatre Department at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts before moving across to become a lecturer at Lasalle in Technical Theatre and Directing.

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

• Recognised Singapore qualification: Singapore-Cambridge GCE 'O' Level: 5 subjects (including English) at C6 higher, or recognised equivalent.
• Recognised international qualifications: Please click here to view list
• Two essays of about 200-250 word each. Questions to be determined later.
• Resume – including training and/or performance experiences (e.g. SYF etc)
• Two referees. One of who should be able to recommend your work.

AUDITION & INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS

Technical and Production Management deals with all the many and varied backstage roles and careers that make live performances possible. The people managing the technical aspects - Lights, Sound and Audio-Visual technology - all collaborate with performers, directors, designers, and composers, all in the same event – together with those who are managing people, managing time, and managing finances. Such skills are transferable and can be used in many careers.

This programme seeks imaginative, enthusiastic and inventive people who love theatre and live performance - but don't want to be in front of the audience. We also seek those who love working with all the new technology, equipment and machinery involved in making a 'show' – from small intimate galleries to huge colourful productions like The Lion King.

Some of you like to draw, some of you like to write, some of you prefer to make a sound tape, a power-point or a collage of images. We want to know your ideas and your ambitions, what you enjoy in the Performing Arts – and we want to know what areas you are most interested in exploring. To help us get to know you and your ideas, you are invited to submit a project that manifests as many aspects as you wish, related to a story or play that you know well.

Project:
Choose from either a Folk Story, a Legend or a Fairy Tale. (for example: Chang Er, Puteri Gunung Ledang or Cinderella. Something that has a story (the narrative or plot) some characters (the roles played by actors), and some meaning (theme or 'content'). Think about how you would like to see your version of this onstage, and start to collect some 'show and tell' items – for example, notes, pictures, and music. (For ideas and examples, please see over page).

Your collection (or portfolio) might be a series of scrap books, a sketchbook, notes and lists, extracts from review and articles, power-point presentations, drawings, paintings, photocopies, newspaper/magazine tear-sheets, and/or DVD, sound bites, computerised graphics etc.

Interview:

• You might like to prepare some notes for yourself - to read from, or as talking points.
• If you have drawings, photos or programmes from your previous productions do bring these materials to the interview.
• Bring your project to the interview and share all your ideas with us – as if we are producers or sponsors that you want to persuade to invest money in your 'show'.
• We will ask you some questions about your project.
• We will ask you about your interest in the Technical and Managerial aspects of Production, and what areas of work attract you.
• You can ask us any questions about the Programme and its subjects, about the Theatre School, or the College.

Don't be nervous. We are here to know you better.
Try to enjoy yourself: it's fun sharing ideas about theatre.
We might offer you a place immediately. We might ask for you to prepare more material, or set you a specific task. Whatever we do, it will be an attempt to understand and help you.

Ideas and examples of what you might like to include in your project - the story of your choice:

• Draw, paint or collect some images that show the different settings or scenery – perhaps show how these 'scenes' might appear with different lighting, with different atmospheres, in daylight or at midnight – whatever the story needs.
• Go through the story and make lists of any furniture and props that the scenes might need – then draw or copy or cut out images of the most important props or special machinery and special effects.
• Consider all the characters in the story and select some of the most important; then make some notes about their main qualities, their age, their ambitions, etc. Draw, collect photographs, cut out magazines, etc, of what you think the story will look like. Perhaps you might like also to cast some of these roles with actors you know.
• Think about the meaning of the story. What is the story about? What 'message' might the story contain? For example: is it about responsibility to self, to love, to family, to country? Is Cinderella about rivalry among sisters? Or is it about goodness being rewarded? Does your story still have meaning today? Write some statements about what you would like to convey to an audience.
• If you have a special interest, see the story through what you love – if you love sound effects, what noises or music can you showcase? Can you surround the audience with speakers? If you love lighting, then imagine the colours, moving lights, and special effects. If you are the Stage Manager imagine controlling the rehearsal schedules for all the actors, dancers, singers and costume changes, and calling the cues and controlling all the effects yourself. You may want to make all the costumes, or design the sets or props. You can explore you own passion in this project and perhaps focus on and feature what you love best.

Programme Information

Duration: 3 Years

Award: Diploma in Technical and Production Management

This programme equips you for employment in the fast-growing backstage management of people and technology in the Performing Arts Industry. You are given hands-on practice in LASALLE's drama, dance, musical theatre, and music productions, and are given opportunities to contribute to films, videos, and other forms of displays, exhibitions, and events. You are trained to develop your professional skills in managing all aspects of productions and events.

Most importantly, you are trained to project-manage productions: handle performers and artists; run rehearsals; manage the stage, set elements, costumes, and props from concept to public performance. You will learn to manage people, time and budget, and are empowered to work independently and as part of a team.

You will learn to work with actors, dancers, musicians, visual artists, and other technicians in planning and managing complex artistic and communication aspects.

You are taught and mentored by local and international theatre professionals, practitioners, and experts in the industry, plus well-established and well-known artists. Through the fulfillment of specialised responsibilities and acquired experiences, you will gain invaluable skills, knowledge, and strengths leading to a sustainable career in the arts.

Assessments: Assessment is an integral part of the learning process, and will be formative and diagnostic as well as summative and evaluative, providing feedback to students wherever appropriate. Read more about assessments here.

Placement learning is where students are offered opportunities to experience learning outside the classroom in real-life working environments or in approved partner institutions. Read more about placement learning here.

Modules

Level 1

Technical Production
The component is built around the understanding of how the production process works. Support skills like Standard First Aid and Fire Safety Awareness aim to provide you with the necessary know-how in the preservation of life that all technical theatre practitioners need to have at their disposal.

Stage & Technical Management (Introduction)
Stage Management component provides you with the fundamental skills necessary to be a professional Stage Manager. You gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of members of the Stage Management team and also explore how they contribute to the production process. Stage Mechanics & Technology component introduces you to the original as well as and the latest technologies of the theatre industry.

Production Elements (Introduction)
This module introduces you to the theoretical foundation in design disciplines, for example, Lighting, Sound, Set and Costume for theatre productions.

Contextual Studies
The three components in this module are:

• History of Performing Art and Visual Culture – Introduction to the development of drama, music and dance within a visual culture reaching the Western and Asian world.
• History of Theatre – Introduction to the development of theatre in the Western world, including the development of theatres in Singapore.
• Script Analysis – Provide the knowledge and skills to critically analyse different plays.

Theatre Internship
This module puts theories into practices, incorporating research skills and methodologies through the engagement of various in-house LASALLE stage productions.

Production Project 1
This module provides the platform to put to practice what has been taught in class, under real working conditions. You will acquire 'hands-on' technical experience.

Level 2

Stage & Technical Management 2
This Fundamentals of Production Management component introduces you to the organisational structures, requirements, budgetary implications, and management of theatre productions. Stage Management 2 examines stage management in different performing arts forms. You will learn the necessary skills and tools in preparing all related paperwork, running rehearsals, and staging the production.

Production Elements 2
This module further develops your skills and knowledge in lighting operation, sound operation, set construction, and costume making.

Contextual Studies 2
This module provides you with an appreciation and basic knowledge in the history of performing arts and visual arts. It encourages you to develop a cultural understanding and equip self with research skills in identifying different styles, forms, periods, and contexts.

Theatre Internship 2
This module allows you to start pursuing key areas of your chosen specialisation. It provides you with the necessary practical skills that are required for you to work as theatre professionals.

Production Project 2
The Assistant Production Manager component provides you with the knowledge of organizational management, budgetary allocation, and management of theatre productions. Stage Management 2 component exposes you to the Stage Manager's responsibilities in the performing arts – drama, musical, dance, opera, process theatre, and events.

Level 3

Stage, Technical & Production Management 3
This module explores the roles of Stage Manager, Technical Manager and Production Manager, and their job responsibilities throughout the entire production process and period. This module examines subjects from the views of stage, technical and production, and venue management.

Production Elements 3

This module exercises your acquired knowledge and skills of production elements as a designer. It familiarizes you with the process of developing creative concepts from a script, music or movement, resulting in the overall production design. This enables you to gain a better insight to the professional world through practice.

Contextual Studies 3

• The Southeast Asian Performance Culture – Introduction and familiarisation of the environment in which you will be working professionally.
• Business in the Arts World – Opportunity to familiarise yourself with the business aspects of the arts world, not only limited to Singapore but with an international perspective.
• Career Management – To provide the necessary tools to promote your skills and abilities in the performance market place.

Theatre Internship 3
This module prepares you to enter the professional world through a practical work placement. This can be either in the form of a secondment to a professional company as an intern, or in the role of an assistant to an industry-professional.

Performance Project 3
This module gives you a simulated professional environment in a performing arts company to assist high-quality theatre productions. It pushes you to acquired professional standards in preparing for further study or future career.

Faculty Members

Lecturer, Musical Theatre
William Edward Fisher

• BA Theatre Studies, Queensland University of Technology, Australia

William started work in the theatre industry as a technician in 1982 in New South Wales, Australia. After expanding to all facets of technical theatre and working on major international productions in various venues throughout Australia he moved to the United Kingdom where he worked with companies such as English National Opera, Scottish Opera, Saddler's Wells Ballet (Now the Birmingham Royal Ballet) and Heavy Metal group Iron Maiden as well as various corporate and fringe productions. William then went on to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in London. During this time he was to tour with the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera to venues like the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aries, The Grieghallen in Bergen, Det Kongelige Teater in Copenhagen and the Roman Theatre in Caesarea in Israel. In 1996 William moved to Singapore and began working on local theatre, dance and music productions as well as working on special effects installations in the region. At the same time William began to lecture in technical Theatre at Lasalle College of the Arts. William Commenced Study for a BA in Drama in 1999 and returned to Australia to complete some of his subjects at the Queensland University of Technology. After completing his Degree William worked freelance in the theatre industry in Southeast Asia and Australia. At the same time he was awarded the Brisbane Underground Theatre Festival prizes for Best Original Script and Best Director. William returned to Singapore in September 2010 to continue working at Lasalle College of the Arts.

Lecturer, Musical Theatre
Stavros Tobias Gordon Papazoglou

• MA of Theatre Arts in Directing, Te Kura Toi Whakaari O Aotearoa: New Zealand Drama School, New Zealand
• Diploma in Technical Production, Te Kura Toi Whakaari O Aotearoa: New Zealand Drama School, New Zealand

Toby graduated from Toi Whakaari: The New Zealand Drama School in 2002 with a Diploma and Technical Production. Rather than settle into only one area backstage Toby actively explored a wide range of professional positions and roles backstage specializing in Production Management, Set Design, Lighting Design and Stage Management for companies such as Downstage, Circa, Centrpoint and The New Zealand International Festival of the Arts. After establishing his career in the Technical Theatre industry Toby returned to Toi Whakaari and in conjunction with Victoria University of Wellington he completed his Master of Theatre Arts (Directing) in 2007. Having worked on productions in New Zealand, Australia and America Toby found himself washing up on the shores of Singapore and spent a year as the Technical Director for the Theatre Department at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts before moving across to become a lecturer at Lasalle in Technical Theatre and Directing.

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

• Recognised Singapore qualification: Singapore-Cambridge GCE 'O' Level: 5 subjects (including English) at C6 higher, or recognised equivalent.
• Recognised international qualifications: Please click here to view list
• Two essays of about 200-250 word each. Questions to be determined later.
• Resume – including training and/or performance experiences (e.g. SYF etc)
• Two referees. One of who should be able to recommend your work.

AUDITION & INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS

Technical and Production Management deals with all the many and varied backstage roles and careers that make live performances possible. The people managing the technical aspects - Lights, Sound and Audio-Visual technology - all collaborate with performers, directors, designers, and composers, all in the same event – together with those who are managing people, managing time, and managing finances. Such skills are transferable and can be used in many careers.

This programme seeks imaginative, enthusiastic and inventive people who love theatre and live performance - but don't want to be in front of the audience. We also seek those who love working with all the new technology, equipment and machinery involved in making a 'show' – from small intimate galleries to huge colourful productions like The Lion King.

Some of you like to draw, some of you like to write, some of you prefer to make a sound tape, a power-point or a collage of images. We want to know your ideas and your ambitions, what you enjoy in the Performing Arts – and we want to know what areas you are most interested in exploring. To help us get to know you and your ideas, you are invited to submit a project that manifests as many aspects as you wish, related to a story or play that you know well.

Project:
Choose from either a Folk Story, a Legend or a Fairy Tale. (for example: Chang Er, Puteri Gunung Ledang or Cinderella. Something that has a story (the narrative or plot) some characters (the roles played by actors), and some meaning (theme or 'content'). Think about how you would like to see your version of this onstage, and start to collect some 'show and tell' items – for example, notes, pictures, and music. (For ideas and examples, please see over page).

Your collection (or portfolio) might be a series of scrap books, a sketchbook, notes and lists, extracts from review and articles, power-point presentations, drawings, paintings, photocopies, newspaper/magazine tear-sheets, and/or DVD, sound bites, computerised graphics etc.

Interview:

• You might like to prepare some notes for yourself - to read from, or as talking points.
• If you have drawings, photos or programmes from your previous productions do bring these materials to the interview.
• Bring your project to the interview and share all your ideas with us – as if we are producers or sponsors that you want to persuade to invest money in your 'show'.
• We will ask you some questions about your project.
• We will ask you about your interest in the Technical and Managerial aspects of Production, and what areas of work attract you.
• You can ask us any questions about the Programme and its subjects, about the Theatre School, or the College.

Don't be nervous. We are here to know you better.
Try to enjoy yourself: it's fun sharing ideas about theatre.
We might offer you a place immediately. We might ask for you to prepare more material, or set you a specific task. Whatever we do, it will be an attempt to understand and help you.

Ideas and examples of what you might like to include in your project - the story of your choice:

• Draw, paint or collect some images that show the different settings or scenery – perhaps show how these 'scenes' might appear with different lighting, with different atmospheres, in daylight or at midnight – whatever the story needs.
• Go through the story and make lists of any furniture and props that the scenes might need – then draw or copy or cut out images of the most important props or special machinery and special effects.
• Consider all the characters in the story and select some of the most important; then make some notes about their main qualities, their age, their ambitions, etc. Draw, collect photographs, cut out magazines, etc, of what you think the story will look like. Perhaps you might like also to cast some of these roles with actors you know.
• Think about the meaning of the story. What is the story about? What 'message' might the story contain? For example: is it about responsibility to self, to love, to family, to country? Is Cinderella about rivalry among sisters? Or is it about goodness being rewarded? Does your story still have meaning today? Write some statements about what you would like to convey to an audience.
• If you have a special interest, see the story through what you love – if you love sound effects, what noises or music can you showcase? Can you surround the audience with speakers? If you love lighting, then imagine the colours, moving lights, and special effects. If you are the Stage Manager imagine controlling the rehearsal schedules for all the actors, dancers, singers and costume changes, and calling the cues and controlling all the effects yourself. You may want to make all the costumes, or design the sets or props. You can explore you own passion in this project and perhaps focus on and feature what you love best.