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 September 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.

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 to everyone as possible. Anyone who faces financial barriers to participate in the Junior Conservatoire can apply for a bursary or scholarship. As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent a link to the bursary and scholarship application form.

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

• James McAvoy Drama Scholarship
• Agnes Allan Bursary
• Cambuslang Rotary Club Bursary
• ABRSM Junior Scholarship UK
• Wolfson Foundation Scholarship
• Stevenson Scholarship
• Miss Nancy Williamson Bursary
• William R MacFarlane Scholarship
• Savoy Scholarship
• John McIntyre Memorial Scholarship

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.

Apply for an audition 

Our next intake for the Junior Conservatoire Production programme will be in September 2019, for session 2019-20.

Applications for audition for the Juniors Production programme will be accepted between 2 November 2018 – 14 March 2019. Each application has an associated fee of £40 per artform.

Our audition period will be as follows:

• Junior Conservatoire Drama, Contemporary Dance, Production and Film auditions – Saturday 30 March – Sunday 28 April inclusive.

We will contact you after the closing date of 14 March 2019 with details of the audition date /time that we are able to offer you. Please note we are unable to accommodate rescheduling requests should you be unavailable. Please note that we audition on weekdays, weekends and evenings, including during school term.

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.

Term Dates 2018/19

Term 1:  Sunday 9 September – Friday 14 December (no classes 14 – 19 October)

Term 2: Sunday 13 January – Friday 29 March (no classes 10 – 15 February)

Term 3: Sunday 28 April – Friday 14 June (no mid-term break)

Youth Arts Festival: Sunday 16 June