Ellie's UWTSD Experience
Ellie's BA Acting Experience
What was your favourite thing about Carmarthen campus?
I loved the workshop. I spent a lot of time in there, as well as our designated design rooms. I enjoyed making the space my own and having room to let loose a little creatively. The tools and materials were never lacking. I could (and did) spend hours, covered in paint, working hard with my classmates in a space that gave us a lot of freedom to work at our own pace and in our own way.
Why did you choose UWTSD?
I started out very unfamiliar with the production process and didn’t really know what role I would like best, or would align with me the best. My course gave me the chance to try out every avenue of production and figure out for myself what role(s) I wanted to pursue That was the real selling point for me. Plus, it gave me such a broad overview of how every department came together on a project. The class sizes were smaller than other universities, which meant the support was excellent, and feedback was truly tailored, and you never felt at any point that you were being overlooked in your studies. It felt like you were valued as an individual creative.
What did you enjoy outside your studies?
Being in Carmarthen gave me access to a couple of connections that allowed me to get work experience during my studies. I got the Stage Management right at the end of my first year, and in the second I was Deputy Stage Manager at the Lyric Theatre in town, which then gave me another DSM opportunity later that year. Both were amazing opportunities.
What are you doing now, how did you get to where you are and how has your course helped you in your career?
Right now I’m on tour as a Stage Technician with the Welsh National Opera. This is my second season with WNO. My team and I are responsible for taking several large scale shows per season around the UK, carrying out get-ins and get-outs at each venue. We install the sets on each stage, carry out scene changes, and switch the sets over at the end of the show. It’s a lot of work and a lot of fun. My team is wonderful and it’s great getting to travel with the company!
My course gave me such a realistic experience of a production process that I know exactly what I need to contribute and how it’ll impact everyone around me. I know my strengths and my weaknesses and I use that to fit into my team pretty nicely, and help out other departments when I can see a task I know I’m capable of. There’s still plenty to learn; I probably pick up something new every day, but that’s what I love about my job.
What was your favourite thing about your course?
As much as I enjoyed the preparation for such big projects, the Main House and Studio productions in my third year were such an incredible experience. My class came together to form a company, and we got to work alongside the acting students to put on real shows. It was fantastic getting to show what we’d learned and the skills we’d gained through our studies. For me, seeing my designs come to life on a stage for the first time is something I won’t forget any time soon. We were given plenty of guidance but trusted with the responsibility of our roles and I came out of both shows feeling super accomplished.
Would you recommend UWTSD and why?
Absolutely, and I have done. I had a great time at UWTSD and I won’t ever forget it. It’s a wonderful experience to be surrounded by people who want you to succeed, and know that you will. I’ve made friends for life, and built up an amazing community of wonderful creative people.
Ella Routledge, a 2025 UWTSD Set Design and Production graduate, is already touring the UK as a Stage Technician with Welsh National Opera. They share how exploring different roles during their studies helped shape their career, building the skills, confidence, and experience needed to succeed in the fast-paced world of theatre production.
