New Music Course encouraged to stay ‘Behind the Scenes’

South Devon College are launching a new course designed for those people interested in learning the art of backstage theatre and working behind the scenes.

The Academy Film awards always recognise award categories like Best Visual Effects, Best Sound and Music, Best Production/Set and Best Costume Design to go with the numerous awards for acting. Now South Devon College are offering learners the chance to learn more about these different areas whilst also working with students on Performing Arts courses at the College in real theatre productions.

In the new National Award in Production Arts course at the College, learners get the chance to undertake a variety of subject areas relating to backstage theatre, including: lighting, sound, stage management, design and special effects. Health and safety in the theatrical workplace is also an essential part of the course.

Not only will students get to learn via hands-on practical and interactive activities but they will also be assessed through real productions and work related learning, whilst also getting the unique opportunity to visit professional theatrical environments.

The excited tutors on the new course all have an extensive background in theatre production. Music and performing arts lecturer Jeremy Holloway previously worked as a technician, working with the likes of Tina Turner and Michael Jackson. He then went on to train at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School which was followed by ten years working as a Stage/Production Manager. Joanna King, Technician in Performing Arts & Technical Theatre at the College has worked locally at the Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay as Stage Manager, working with people like Cannon & Ball and Mike Reid, the Palace Theatre Paignton as Sound Engineer, Lighting Engineer and In House Technician and has also worked with a production company for many years working on large scale outdoor festivals and theatre productions at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, and the Exeter Corn Exchange. Music Technology Lecturer Dan Taylor is a qualified Sound Engineer with 14 years experience in various areas of Music Production and Sound installation, working as a DJ, music producing, setting up dance music events, and as a researcher and audio editor with BBC Radio Devon. College recording studio tutor Pete Day has an impressive CV beginning at the famous PWL studios in London in 1987. Pete has recorded songs for various recording artists, including Aussie pop sensation Kylie Minogue and world famous dance act ‘Faithless’. He has also worked with Bananarama, Jason Donovan, Sybil, Nikki French, Gina G, Dido, Atomic Kitten, Lemar and Robson & Jerome and also spent time working at New York’s Unique Studios with Dru Hill and Faith Evans. Course manager and Lecturer in Stage Management Victoria Stanley trained in Stage Management & Technical Theatre at the Central School of Speech & Drama in London before working in stage lighting at the Prince Of Wales Theatre on Copacabana and costume at Starlight Express, London. She then moved into a Stage Management career which includes pantomime, the Wexford Festival Opera and Starlight Express in Germany. Victoria also trained in Theatrical Makeup & Wigmaking at Reading College of Arts & Design which led her to work on Saturday Night Fever in Germany and to carry out some television work.

Victoria said of the course,

“We really love passing on our expertise to the learners and this course is tailor-made for helping us do just that. There are so many career options available to young people in this industry and the new National Award in Production Arts really helps to equip learners with the right knowledge and skills to be successful. It gives learners as students and us as their tutors a great buzz to see them actively using the skills we have taught them during real live performances.”

For more information on the course or how to apply call free on 08000 380123 or visit www.southdevon.ac.uk.

For more information visit http://www.southdevon.ac.uk/