Constructing a RADA show

Time flies at RADA. Reflecting on our last set of shows (Dying For It, No One Sees The Video and The Bright and Bold Design) that is one thing I have discovered. It seems like only a week ago that we were having our induction and now we are already on our second set of shows!

At RADA there are two methods of teaching the Technical Theatre and Stage Management Course; rotation and linear. For rotation teaching we are divided into five small groups, each working in alternating departments which are Scenic Construction, Stagecraft, Lighting and Sound, Props and Wardrobe and Scenic Art.
In linear teaching there are a different four groups for lectures in other aspects of Technical Theatre such as Stage Management, Technical Drawing and Design. It is the rotation groups that determine our roles for the RADA shows.

My first rotation at RADA was in the Scenic Construction department and let me tell you, they really throw you in at the deep end. It began with four days of induction into the department; two days in carpentry and two days in metal work. By the fifth day we were given construction plans and set on building the entire sets for three incredible shows. As mentioned in my previous blog post the training at RADA is very intensive; it is so comprehensive that after just four days I truly felt competent enough to take on the build.
Possibly one of my favourite aspects of my time in Scenic Construction was working so closely with the second and third year TTSM students – being able to learn from them just as much as we learnt from the tutors.

We are now starting on the next shows, After Miss Julie and In Arabia We’d All Be Kings for which I am now in Stagecraft – which sounds like it is going to be very exciting. You’ll have to wait for my next blog to find out about some of the truly incredible things that we are working on for these productions, so make sure check back in and come along to see the shows 18 - 24 November.