Production

Applications for the 2023/24 academic year are now open.

The Junior Conservatoire of Production is a two-year programme which offers bespoke training to talented young artists and technicians at Scotland’s national conservatoire. Theatre production is an area of skill shortage in Scotland and this programme aims to address this and train young people for a successful and creative career.

Each Production student in the Junior Conservatoire will be given a tailored timetable which will cater to your individual interests and areas of development. You will be given opportunities to learn more in a range of subjects across the technical and production arts, including set and costume design, prop making, set construction, scenic art, costume, stage management and lighting, sound and stage technology.

At the end of each year, students have the opportunity to present their work either in an exhibition or on a production to demonstrate their progression over the year.

Junior Conservatoire students will gain a comprehensive insight into the world of theatre production and by the end of your studies, you will be working at a high-quality standard and consider applying to full-time production studies.

Entry to the programme is by interview only and we accept a small number of students each year into the programme to allow us to focus our teaching on each individual’s development.

The programme runs from August to June each year, and there are two levels of study available depending on your ability and experience. Many students join us at level 1 and progress to graduate from the Junior Conservatoire, having completed the full two years of study.

Contact us

Please contact us by email at juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk if you have any questions and we will be happy to help.

This is the only course of its kind in Scotland and the learning journey of every Production student in the Junior Conservatoire is different; we will work with you to develop your individual skills and talents.

The course is a two-year programme and every student will begin on level 1. We hope to see you progress to Level 2 successfully, however you can, of course, choose to study only level 1.

Every student is assigned a mentor who will work with you to create a personal learning plan. This plan will determine your studies for the year and may consist of intensive weekend study options, summer schools, one-to-one lessons with expert teaching staff or masterclasses with professionals or degree students. The programme is designed to be flexible to allow you and your mentor to create a suitable pathway for your interests.

Level 1 

Level 1 is taught as a group class. You will work to gain a basic knowledge of all aspects of production from technical theatre to scenic art. Each week you will work with a specialist in an area of production i.e. lighting, theatrical make-up, scenic design etc.

You will have the opportunity to work in all performance venues in RCS, including the New Athenaeum Theatre. You will also play a key role in the Junior Conservatoire Bridge Week, working with the RCS Central Production Unit to stage manage and assist with all productions over the week.

Level 2 

Having completed Level 1, you will use the second year of this programme to specialise in an area of your choosing — either Technology and Management or Arts and Design.

This year is much more tailored to the individual and you will be assigned a mentor who will guide you throughout the programme.

On level 2, you will:

• work on bespoke projects, often in collaboration with students from the Junior Conservatoire of Drama programmes
• hone your specialist skills and develop the technical requirements required to study Production at higher education level
• have the opportunity to lead on production projects during Bridge Week with students from across the Junior Conservatoire

• Learn about all aspects of production from set and costume design, prop making, scenic painting and construction to lighting, sound and stage technology
• Access RCS production workshops fitted with specialist machinery, equipment and design studios
• Learn from a mentor who will work with you to create a personal learning plan
• Observe undergraduate students in action and see what it takes to be a full-time conservatoire student
• Receive regular feedback reports to ensure you are getting the most out of the programme
• Be part of Scotland’s national conservatoire, recognised as one of the world’s top ten performing arts education institutions (2016 – 2018 QS World Rankings)

Our internationally-respected staff include RCS alumni and lecturers that also teach degree-level. All of our teachers are practicing artists with strong networks within the industry. Teachers include:

• Ros Maddison (Head of Production)
• Martin Mallorie (Prop making)
• Christine Murphy (Costume)
• Gary Fry (Scenic Art)
• Zander Lee (Set Construction)
• Robin Peoples (Set and Costume Design)
• Clare Hibberd (Sound)
• Susan May Hawley (Stage Management)
• Christoph Wagner (Lighting)
• Abigail McMillan (Production Level 2 lecturer)
• Steve Macluskie (Stage Technology)

We want to make the performing arts as accessible as possible.

Anyone who faces financial barriers to participate in the Junior Conservatoire can apply at any time, whether at acceptance to a course or during the course, for a bursary or scholarship.

Please take the time to refer to this bursary and scholarship criteria.

For anyone who requires a bursary or scholarship please email JuniorsDDPF@rcs.ac.uk and you will be sent an application form.

We will try to support as many students as possible to attend the Junior Conservatoire training and therefore may not be able to cover full student fees.

These funds are currently supported by the generosity of individuals and charitable trusts including:

• James McAvoy Drama Scholarship
• Agnes Allan Bursary
• Bill and Margaret Nicol

Entry to the Junior Conservatoire of Production is by interview only, and progression through the levels is not automatic — students will be assessed each year if they would like to continue with their studies.

Whilst we don’t ask for specific entry qualifications, we do ask for all applicants to have a strong interest in theatre productions and a passion to see your ideas come to life. It would be an advantage if you attend an amateur theatre group or have some artwork or portfolio to demonstrate your abilities.

The audition process 

We want your audition to be an enjoyable experience and encourage you to take this opportunity to find out more about the Junior Conservatoire.

The interview will be with a panel of teachers from the Junior Conservatoire of Production and we want to hear your interests and experience of the theatre. At the interview you should:

• be prepared to talk about theatre productions you have seen recently and what you liked and disliked about them
• discuss your aspirations for your future study and career goals
• bring any evidence you have of your interest in production e.g. artwork or technical drawings, achievement certificates or photographs from events you have been involved with

Everyone, regardless of the outcome, will receive verbal feedback on the day. Above all, remember the panel wants to see you do well and we look forward to meeting you.

We want to ensure everyone has an opportunity to apply for the Junior Conservatoire of Production and everyone who applies on time will receive an audition.

When to apply

Application for entry to the Junior Conservatoire of Production in August 2022 are currently open.

All applications should be completed online and there is an audition fee of £45. If you need financial support to pay for the audition fee please contact us at juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk 

Interview dates

All interviews for the Junior Conservatoire of Production will be held  on 14 June 2022.

Question?

If you have any questions about the Junior Conservatoire or the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk .

Term Dates 2022/23

Student induction- 20th August 2022

Term 1- 27 Aug- 16th December 2022 (no sessions from 8-21st October)

Term 2- 7th January- 31st March 2023 (no session 11-17th Feb)

Term 3- 15th April- 16th June 2023

Performance opportunities – TBC

Christmas Spectacular- December 2022

Other potential performances- Bridge Week, Youth Arts Fest, Leavers ceremony

Term Dates (2023/2024)

Term 1

Student induction- Sunday 20th August 2023

Term 1 starts – Saturday 26^th August 2023

Mid term break- 14-27^th October 2023

Term 1 finishes- Friday 15^th December 2023

Term 2 starts- Saturday 6^th January 2024

Mid term break- 10^th-16^th February 2024

Term 2 finishes- Friday 29^th March 2024

Term 3 starts- Saturday 13^th April 2024

Term 3 finishes- Friday 14^th June 2024

Fees

Production fees for the year are £2995 (tbc 2023/24)