Applicants who apply on time (Scottish and rest of UK (RUK) – 31 January 2023, International (including EU) – 31 March 2023) are invited to an interview by email, approximately three weeks before. All interviews will take place online, with individual requests for in-person interviews considered.
Please note that RCS is only obliged to offer one audition/interview date per application. Alternative dates will only be provided (subject to availability) in exceptional circumstances. If you are unable to make your allocated interview date, you should email us immediately stating the reason.
BA Production Technology and Management interviews will take place from November to May.
The production specialisms offered within the BA Production Technology and Management are Stage Management, Lighting, Sound and Stage Technology. You do not need to identify one subject at interview as level one of the programme includes fundamental training in all four areas. There is a specialism selection process at the end of the first year and individual pathways commence from the start of year two.
Your interview will involve an online conversation with two staff members from the Programme. (approx. 30 minutes). At your interview, the panel will ask you about your previous experiences and your interests, but they will focus on your response to some set tasks (as outlined below). There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions about the programme and discuss any other work you have submitted as part of your portfolio. If you have not completed the set tasks, they will not be able to proceed with the interview.
The aim of the interview:
The interview process is designed to ensure that you have every opportunity to demonstrate your potential to develop the relevant skills and qualities necessary to succeed both on a degree-level programme and in a highly competitive profession.
The panel will look for:
- Creativity and curiosity
- Technical awareness
- An ability to analyse and reflect
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Self-motivation and an ability to work independently
To assess these skills and qualities, the interview panel will invite you to discuss your response to some predefined tasks, which are explained below.
Prior to attending the interview, you should ensure you have prepared a response to these tasks and completed the ‘About You’ questionnaire (completed online via Acceptd).
If you wish to share your portfolio or any other appropriate documentation to support your application, you should upload your work to Acceptd a minimum of five working days prior to your interview.
Creative Technical Response Task
- Please source a copy of the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare (this can be found online here)
- Having read the whole play, have a particular look at Act One Scenes I – III and come to the interview ready to discuss your solutions to any production challenges you see in the script or stage directions. You can focus on your main areas of interest if you wish.
- Please use ‘Acceptd’ (link provided on application) to upload any supplementary information or other work you have produced in support of your proposed solutions. This might take the form of, for example, some prompt copy pages, a ground plan, a lighting plan, a sound plot, a flying plot, construction drawings, cue sheets, prop references, sound files or any other research or reference material used to generate your ideas and solutions.
We have recently changed this play selection but if you have started work on the previous selection (Fences by August Wilson) please continue with this script if you wish.
Production/Performance Presentation
You are asked to attend a performance of a production of your choice and be able to discuss your observations of this production with the panel. Ideally this should be a live performance but, if this is not possible, a recorded or streamed stage production can be used.
This should be a recent professional production if possible but not one you have worked on. This may be an opportunity to challenge yourself by choosing a type of performance or venue that you have not experienced before. The panel will want to hear your opinion of the production during the interview so prepare some notes to help you but don’t write an essay to read out.
You should endeavour to give a clear account of the production elements such as the overall set & costume design, staging, costume, props, lighting, sound and stage technology to the interview panel. Whilst an overview of the directing or performances is sometimes useful, this is not what we want you to focus on.
Remember that your opinion is valid and should be used to comment on the overall effect of the production. You may also be asked to comment on how you would have approached certain elements differently, given the chance.
It is often helpful to provide supplementary evidence of your visit such as publicity material or personal notes and sketches to illustrate a point.