Our graduates have gone on to a variety of careers and further study, including:
- Arts management
- Education
- Events Management
- Postgraduate study/research
- Scenic Artist
- Set or Costume Designer
- Set builder, Costume Maker
- Stage Management
- Technician
- Wardrobe Supervisor
Beth Thomas
Designer
Year of graduation: 2019
"I feel the course fully prepares you for the industry, in terms of knowledge, experience and professionalism".
"I studied in University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Theatre Design and Production, graduating in July 2019.
Since graduating, I have worked on Research and Development Projects with Omidaze Productions, RCT Theatres and Ioan Hefin where I was able to talk about possible design concepts for the set of the pieces.
I have also had the opportunity to design the set and model for an upcoming First Year Production with the University and a Studio piece ‘Dau’ (‘Two’) by Jim Cartwright with RCT Theatres.
I am also soon to be working with RCT Theatres on their upcoming pantomime, Cinderella, as Costume Assistant.
I feel the course fully prepares you for the industry, in terms of knowledge, experience and professionalism. I also had many opportunities to work with industry professionals, which I have since worked with since graduating".
Gary Harbor
Technician and set builder
Year of graduation: 2018
"I will forever be grateful to the tutors and everyone involved on the course who have continued to be supportive even after I graduated".
"I graduated in 2018 with a degree in Theatre design and production, since then I have been on an amazing journey working within the industry.
Initially I started the course with the intention of focusing on being a set builder, however the course was so broad and diverse I developed other skills pertaining to the industry and was constantly encouraged by the lecturers to expand my skill base.
As a result of the comprehensive help and opportunities that were given to me, I have been working within the industry since day one after graduating.
Not only have I built several sets for various theatre companies and other events including The Brit Awards on a freelance basis, I have also been involved with sound and light operating at the highest level.
I am currently working in this capacity for Theatre Mwldan in Cardigan West Wales. From next week I will be working as deputy stage manager on a touring panto production called “Heroes” by Welsh company Cwmni Mega.
Basically, the Theatre Design and Production course has been nothing less than life changing, and by far one of the best decisions I have made. I will forever be grateful to the tutors and everyone involved on the course who have continued to be supportive even after I graduated".
Hadley Taylor
Stage Manager & Production Manager
Year of graduation: July 2017
"My time at university has given me a plethora of skills and knowledge I use and develop regularly in my work".
"I have worked Freelance in a Variety of roles, from Stage Manager to Technical Manager to Assistant Production Manager for 2 and a half years now. I have toured across the UK, Wales and Europe as well as worked on a variety of Site-specific shows and events.
My time at university has given me a plethora of skills and knowledge I use and develop regularly in my work. This includes practical knowledge from Lighting – Sound – AV. Creative Skills consisting of how to design and construct, how to manage people, props, schedules and all other elements of production.
Through seminars hosted by the university with professionals in the industry I meet National Theatre Wales and they gave me an opportunity to use my skills in a professional environment. since them I regularly worked with them and now work full time with National Theatre Wales as a Production Assistant.
I co-ordinate productions in both an administrative position planning logistics, contracts and H&S but also working practically on each production sometimes as a Stage Manager or even as a Production Manager where needed".
Joe Jones
Stage Manager
Year of graduation: 2017
"The degree has helped me gain Stage Management positions throughout South and West Wales".
"During my time at UWTSD and then graduating in 2017, the degree has helped me gain Stage Management positions throughout South and West Wales with companies including Torch Theatre and Volcano Theatre, as well as Scenic Construction positions with Production 78 and Welsh National Youth Opera.
In my final year at Trinity I was given the opportunity to take a work placement at the Torch Theatre as a Assistant Stage Manager. Since then I have worked each autumn season, worked my way up from ASM and now I am very proud to say that I have been given the position of Stage Manager from the 2018 and now the 2019 Autumn Seasons with hope to continue for the foreseeable future.
As well as part of a fantastic and incredible industry that UWTSD has been a big part of, I’ve recently got engaged to my fiancée (on stage at the theatre) who I had met while I was at Trinity and moved into our first house back in Carmarthen".
Becca Moore
Year of graduation: 2016
“The knowledge and skills that I gained in every single module and project were so much more valuable than I ever could have expected.”
“I was able to experience every aspect of theatre, from lighting, sound, and design through to costume, make-up and stage management; the whole process from Pre-to-Post production. This is a great benefit, and one of my favourite aspects of this wide-ranging course, as I have become a versatile theatre and stage management professional with many transferable skills.
I made the absolute most of the opportunities available to me, openings doors for myself and searching for opportunities outside of the campus. I had the good fortune to work with companies such as Welsh National Opera, Taking Flight Theatre Company, Prague Quadrennial, and National Theatre Wales, all while still studying.
I wouldn’t have had the confidence to take on those roles and responsibilities if it had not been for all the people I met and worked with throughout my time on the course, from tutors to colleagues, directors to cast members, designers to production teams. Since graduating,
I have achieved more than I had ever imagined. Following my graduation, I have worked with National Theatre Wales on the ‘City of the Unexpected’, volunteered with Vancouver Opera, I have been LX2 / Tech Swing on the UK tour of ‘All or Nothing: the Mod Musical’ and then became the Assistant Stage Manager for the autumn tour, before moving it into the West End.
I am now about to embark on a new adventure as Assistant Stage Manager with the National Theatre in London on their schools tour of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.”
Rose Liggins
Deputy Stage Manager / show caller
Year of graduation: 2014
"The expert guidance and support from my lecturers definitely helped me get to where I am today".
"I graduated from UWTSD in 2014 with a First Class Honours degree in Theatre Design and Production, specialising in Stage Management.
Since graduating I have worked all over the UK, most notably at Theatre By The Lake in Keswick as Assistant Stage Manager for two of their summer repertory seasons, which was an amazing place to live and work.
After saving up to go travelling for 3 months in 2017, my partner and I decided to move to Perth, Australia in April 2018. Since moving here, I have been lucky enough to work with the West Australian Ballet as Assistant Stage Manager, ASM Book Cover and as Stage Manager on various productions and I will be continuing to work with them until the end of 2020 and hopefully beyond. I have also worked as Stage Manager with another brilliant Perth company called The Last Great Hunt, who I am hoping to tour to Darwin (in the north of Australia) with next July.
The course at UWTSD amply prepared me for professional work life, and the expert guidance and support from my lecturers definitely helped me get to where I am today. The fact that I got to stage-manage three shows in my final year of study was extremely valuable and an enormous learning curve, enabling me to confidently transition into the theatre industry after graduation".
Emily Ida
Stage Manager
Year of graduation: 2013
"It was through the guidance and support of the dedicated tutors at UWTSD that I found my path into stage management".
"The Theatre Design and Production course at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David is a great way of getting a well rounded base of knowledge about backstage theatre.
I would not be where I am today without the grounding of knowledge I received whilst there, helping me to become a well rounded stage manager. I graduated in 2013 and since then I have toured rurally and nationally as a Stage Manager and I am currently working in the West End as an Assistant Stage Manager/ Book Cover.
It was through the guidance and support of the dedicated tutors at UWTSD that I found my path into stage management".
Andy Gregory
Construction Manager
Year of graduation: 2012
"The University course at Trinity gave me the skills, attitude, confidence and contacts to begin my career in the Theatre, TV and Film industries, for which I am truly grateful".
"I graduated from Trinity with a 2:1 in Theatre Design and Production in 2012. I began my career with a position in the Welding and Fabricating department at Bay Productions in Cardiff. After starting at Bay in 2012 I have gone on to progress to Construction Manager of the workshop.
I now have many opportunities to work on stages all over the world, installing a huge range of Theatre, Opera and TV scenery items.
The University course at Trinity gave me the skills, attitude, confidence and contacts to begin my career in the Theatre, TV and Film industries, for which I am truly grateful".
Meghan Sorohan
Scenic Artist & Technical Supervisor
Year of graduation: 2012
"The value of my time at UWTSD cannot be overstated".
"I started the Theatre Design and Production course in 2009 with an interest in Lighting and Sound and all things art. One of the reasons I chose the course was because they didn’t require specialisation from the beginning and I wanted to learn across all disciplines; this is something that has really benefited me as my career has progressed.
Upon graduation in 2012, I had taken a much bigger interest in design and started my career as a freelance Scenic Artist and Prop Maker with a sideline in Construction. I worked for the next couple of years with Headstrong Theatrical services on a variety of small and medium scale touring productions in Wales, seeing them from model box to get in - a through line I still find very satisfying.
I have lived in Wales, in Bristol and now in London and have found that my broad skill set has allowed me to work on some really interesting projects and productions, from European touring Circus as a Production Electrician to Opera, most recently poly-carving a 2.6M x 1.4M flown set piece of a skull.
My current role is at the brand new Boulevard Theatre in Soho where I work as a Technical Supervisor, there’s a huge variety of production styles which makes the job challenging and keeps things interesting.
The value of my time at UWTSD cannot be overstated, I not only learned all of the processes involved in Theatre Design and Production but was given a grounding in the importance of good work ethic and excellent communication which make a career in theatre viable".
Meilir Aled Evans
Lighting Designer & Production Manager
Year of graduation: 2012
"The Theatre Design and Production course gave me the confidence to pursue this path due to the good grounding I had in all theatre production aspects".
"Since graduation, I have gone on to work as a freelance Theatre Technician within Wales. I have worked with theatre companies who have done local and national Tours around Wales which include Cwmni’r Frawn Wen and Theatr Bara Caws".
"The Theatre Design and Production course gave me the confidence to pursue this path due to the good grounding I had in all theatre production aspects. This means I can turn my hand to many a job when it is necessary outside of my particular field, which is becoming more desirable especially with smaller theatre companies.
I have also gone into the world of Events since 2015 working my way up to Site Manager, and Site Co-ordinator on various events such as Eisteddfod yr Urdd and the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, as well as several music festivals. This door was opened to me because I understood how CAD worked, and I could read a ground plan. These are both skills I learned on the course, and have since improved with practice in the working world".
Gareth Williams
Technical Stage Manager
Year of graduation: 2010
"The variety of the course and realism of the industry along side incorporating art into the course gave me the skills I needed to make a success of my career".
"I graduated in 2010 from theatre design & productions. My first professional job was a technician at Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon. Then swiftly onto the Sherman Theatre as a carpenter! And from there I shot off to RWCMD as a technician.
This is where my career really kicked off. I became technical manager of Newbridge memo and then deputy technical manager at WMC.
Finally I arrived back at the Sherman and became the TSM. This is my dream job! The variety of the course and realism of the industry along side incorporating art into the course gave me the skills I needed to make a success of my career".
"Variety is the spice of life!"
Cassey Driver
Stage Manager
Year of graduation: 2009
“I graduated in 2009 with a BA in Theatre Design & Production. After a year of hard graft & gaining more experience through placements I finally landed my first professional job with National Theatre Wales on a production called For Mountain, Sand & Sea as an Assistant Stage Manager.
It was a site specific performance spanning a whole town, it was an adventure. From there my career flourished as a Freelance Stage Manager and I have worked for many companies including Cwmni’r Fran Wen, Theatr Clwyd, Library Theatre, and The National Theatre.
I have been lucky to travel and work abroad with theatre companies and visited and toured China, Patagonia, Argentina & Germany.
The last show I have just finished working on was Mold Riots as Company Stage Manager in Theatr Clwyd. The show took over the town of Mold and was a promenade performance with a cast & community cast of 100, a mammoth of a task.
Looking back I am so happy with my decision to do the course at Trinity, it gave me an excellent grounding for work in theatre. As a Stage Manager it is so important to know how the other departments in theatre work, as stage managers are the link between the creative departments to rehearsals to stage and performance. The course gives you knowledge in all areas and helps you develop into the theatre creative you want to be.”
Michael Ager
Production Manager
Theatre Design and Production (BA)
Year of graduation: 2006
"My time at Trinity provided me with an amazing starting point for my work in Professional Theatre".
"Working as a Theatre Production Manager, it is my job to bring the Artistic Team’s vision and design to the stage by working with all of the Production Departments to ensure that we create the show safely, on time, on budget and to the highest artistic standards.
I currently work for the Royal National Theatre as a Deputy Production manager, supporting our Production Managers on shows across our three theatres on London’s South Bank.
Following my graduation in 2006 I worked as a technician at Battersea Arts Centre, where I was able to gain valuable experience on small scale shows, as well as larger shows with prominent theatre companies including Kneehigh and Punchdrunk.
I moved on from BAC to work full time for six years as Technician and Production Manager for the Taking Part department at the Young Vic Theatre, who run one of the best education and community engagement programmes in the country.
Having gained a great deal of Production Management experience at the Young Vic I went on to work as a freelance Production manager with theatres including The Gate, Hampstead Theatre, Southwark Playhouse, The Nuffield Southampton and production companies including Frantic Assembly, Inspector Sands, Metis Arts and High Tide Festival.
After two years as a freelancer I took on a full-time position at The Bush Theatre, who had just undertaken a major refurbishment project. While at the Bush I helped with the refurbishment and re-opening of the theatre, production managed all of our shows and managed our technical team. Following my two years at The Bush, I was offered my current position at the National Theatre, where I am gaining experience of working on large scale, ambitious shows with high profile artistic teams.
My time at Trinity provided me with an amazing starting point for my work in Professional Theatre. Working on small and mid-scale shows often means having to work where your help is needed to get a show ready to open, whether that is rigging and focusing lighting and sound equipment, building and assembling scenery or doing the laundry so that it is ready for the next show.
Having studied all areas of theatre production, I was able to turn my hand to whatever needed doing and understand the needs of all members of the production and artistic teams.
Those of us working backstage are often considered to be technical staff, while the designers are thought to be the creatives but I would say that in reality the designers are the Artists and those of us in the production departments are the real “creative team”, who use our training and experience to find creative solutions to whatever challenges are thrown our way.
I do not believe that you can be truly creative in theatre production without a broad knowledge of everything that goes on backstage, which is why I consider BA Theatre Design and Production at Trinity to be an excellent route into the industry".
Carys-Haf Williams
Stage Manager
Year of Graduation 2020
"I started the Theatre Design and Production course at UWTSD not knowing what area of theatre I wanted to go into but with the support, guidance of the tutors and the variety of the subject areas we explored during my first year I found my passion for Stage Management.
I’ve had many work experience opportunities since being on this course and had the chance to work with many industry professionals which helped me get my first professional job as a Stage Manager.
The tutors are so supportive especially during the pandemic. We have tutorials once a week, they send us usefully information and creative links and have organised zoom talks with industry professionals."
