General information about applying for our undergraduate courses and the interview process.
My time at Central taught me how to work with a wide range of people and disciplines. It was there that I was able to transition into working on real live projects. Working on projects within Central with fellow students and later with the freedom to develop my own work and contacts outside, gave me opportunities that shaped my future development!
Gary Beestone
Graduated 2002, established Gary Beestone Events & Theatre providing production and project management for clients such as Disney and Sonia Friedman Productions, as well as worldwide Technical Director for Harry Potter And The Cursed Child.
General information about applying for our undergraduate courses and the interview process.
Information for home, EU, and non-EU students.
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Find out about upcoming BA (Hons) Theatre Practice (including Technical and Production Management) open days at Central.
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Information on studying and living in London for students from outside the UK.
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3 years full-time, October start
Institution code: C35; Course code: W493
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Theatre Practice
Studying on the Technical and Production Management specialism of the BA (Hons) Theatre Practice degree course, you will:
As live theatre and performance becomes an increasingly important part of the global economy, there is a huge demand for Technical and Production Management professionals. This course trains students in the specialist skills and knowledge of managing creative processes from initial concept through rehearsal to realised performance.
As a Technical and Production Management student, you will expand your contextual and critical understanding of performance, through examining and challenging contemporary philosophies, theories and issues surrounding the industry.
Alongside work within Central, you will direct your learning towards the areas of the entertainment industry that interest you.
You will develop career focus by engaging directly with performing arts professionals, including access to long-established and emerging industry companies, venues, manufacturers and suppliers.
By the end of the second year, you will be encouraged to make strong connections within the industry which may ultimately lead to work, extending your learning and supporting your transition from education to full-time employment.
You will have opportunities in the final year to undertake placements to further build your network of contacts as well as exploring and understanding up-to-the-minute challenges, projects and developments for productions in the sector.
You can still apply for this course and be considered through UCAS despite them classing your application as 'late'. You can also register your interest in 2020 entry here and our Admissions Team will then contact you about interview options and further details.
Our standard academic entry requirements range between 120 and 64 UCAS tariff points. You can see how many tariff points your qualifications would gain on the UCAS Tariff Calculator. International qualifications and others not covered within the UCAS tariff can also be accepted. Please email us if you need further clarification.
Please note that we make lower offers (including unconditional) to exceptional candidates and those who have alternative or prior experience to offer. All candidates invited to interview are asked to bring a portfolio. Interview and portfolio are key factors in determining which applicants are accepted on to the course.
For information on alternative entry requirements please see www.ucas.com.
See How to Apply section for Undergraduate courses.
We particularly encourage applications from groups currently under-represented in higher education, such as students with disabilities and members of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. Find out more information on Central’s commitment to equality and diversity.
Find out more about the interview process for this course.
Each year Central hosts a number of interviews outside of the UK, with a team of tutors from Central travelling to meet applicants. The international interviews are designed to replicate the London-based interview experience in every aspect (other than a tour of our site!). See our Event Finder for listings of upcoming interview locations and dates.
Visit the International Students section to view details of English language requirements for Central's courses.
Throughout the course, you will have contact with performance arts professionals including industry leading and pioneering companies, venues, manufacturers and suppliers.
During your third year, you will research, arrange and attend a placement with a company, or alongside an individual practitioner, working in the field of performance arts, theatre making or events production that you are interested in developing further.
Students have undertaken a variety of placements including:
The course has a range of relationships at all levels and in many areas of the performing arts industry:
London theatre companies include:
as well as receiving houses such as:
Touring theatre companies include:
smaller, more radical companies such as:
In addition to performance companies, Central has connections with a range of technical equipment manufacturers and suppliers, for example TAIT Stage Technologies (automation), Flying by Foy (people flying), Unusual Rigging (rigging and suspension), White Light and Stage Electrics (lighting and sound), J&C Joel (stage fabrics) and Scott Fleary (scenery construction).
The course also has links with performance venue designers including architects Keith Williams (Unicorn Theatre), Tim Foster (Tricycle Theatre) and Jason Flanagan (Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama) and theatre consultants (Theatre Projects, Charcoalblue and Theatreplan).
Julian Rudd (Remarkable Productions), Liz Pugh (Walk The Plank), Simon Byford (Production Manager), Martin Jady (Production Manager), Di Willmott (National Theatre), Kim Swaden-Ward (Circus Space).
Graduate employment and career pathways include:
Laura Beacham (2015) was most recently Technical Assistant Stage Manager for Thriller Live. Prior to this she was also Technical Assistant Stage Manager for the UK Touring production of Rocky Horror Show. Laura has also worked in the stage crew for a number of other productions including; An American in Paris (Dominion Theatre); In the Heights (Kings Cross Theatre), and Octogan (Arcola Theatre).
Gary Beestone (2002) runs Gary Beestone Events & Theatre. Just a small selection of the projects he's provided production management for include; Secret Cinema's Casino Royale, (Shanghai), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (London, New York, Melbourne and San Francisco), and Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019's Welcome to the Forest. In addition to this, his company also oversees the project management and direction for theatre construction and renovation, and have been involved in renovations for The Lyric Theatre and Alexandra Palace Theatre.
Christian Clark (2016) is currently Deputy Head of Lighting and Production for Sir Cameron Mackintosh's touring production of Les Misérables. Prior to this he was Head of Lighting for RSC's UK and Ireland tour of Matilda The Musical. Other productions that Christian has worked on include; Wicked (Zurich, UK and Ireland Tour); The Bodyguard (Dominion Theatre); Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre), and Bend it like Beckham (Phoenix Theatre).
Benjamin Krebs (2018) is Technical Project Manager for Event Concept, a creative events production company based in London, whose clients include Dior, ASOS, Unilever, BBC, ITV and The BFI.
Aidan Lesser-Moor (2011) is Technical Director of Hull Culture and Leisure, and in his role is responsible for all technical aspects for touring shows coming to Hull New Theatre and Hull City Hall.
James Roxburgh (2008) is Senior Production Manager for 59 Productions, an award-winning design studio and production company who produce for stage, events, VR experiences, exhibitions and installations. They've worked on projects such as Grenfell - Our Home, David Bowie's Is Exhibition at the V&A, and the opening and closing ceremonies for events such as the London 2012 Olympics.
Andrea Salazar (2006) is currently Producer for alumni-led immersive theatre company, Darkfield, and is Head of Production for Punchdrunk International, the critically acclaimed immersive theatre company specialising in creating genre-defying theatrical experiences for audiences around the world.
Sarah Turney (2015) is a Project Manager for TAIT, a world leader in designing, constructing and delivering the finest live event solutions in the world. TAIT's diverse group of clients include Cirque Du Soleil, The Metropolitan Opera House, NASA and Beyoncé.
View profiles of the academic staff who teach on this course. Click on each staff member to find out more about them.
