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Production Facilities

The Production facilities at RCS have been custom-built to ensure our students have the best possible learning experience.

The Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks building is home to our design studios, workshop, prop rooms, wardrobe and technical workshops. Everything you need to dream, design and create work for performance is right here.

For many people, the Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks is an eye-opener for all of the extensive work which goes into creating truly outstanding theatrical experiences. We recommend a tour of the production facilities to all of our prospective students to learn more about the collaborative nature of performance-making at RCS.

Find out more about each of our production facilities in the dropdowns below. You can also explore Wallace Studios in our Virtual Tour, and visit our Box Office to find tickets to upcoming performances, where you can see our Production students’ work!


Wardrobe

Wardrobe students work in a sewing room full of costumes.

Get lost in wardrobe, with costumes and accessories from every era imaginable and staff on hand to help guide students to assemble the perfect costumes for performance.

The wardrobe department is a new, purpose-built, well-lit workroom with an excellent cutting table, storage for fabrics, haberdashery, patterns and books. The room is well equipped with industrial and domestic sewing machines, overlockers and irons, Stockman dummies and a comprehensive collection of costume books and references.

There is a fitting area with two generous changing rooms. We have an enviable costume and shoe store and a well-equipped maintenance room. The workspace facilitates the delivery of the BA Production Arts and Design programme teaching students a variety of specialisms such as millinery, pattern cutting and costume construction. There are 4 full-time Costume Tutors and a Lecturer in Costume.


Paintshop and Scenic Art

Production students prepare the set for 'Sunday in the Park with George'. A massive replica of 'A Sunday on La Grande Jatte' by Georges Seurat is being painted in the background.

The Paintshop at the Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks is a large purpose built painting studio which has a static paintframe [12m x 8m drop], accessed by a state-of-the-art fully automated bridge. This is used for painting backdrops and gauzes. Additionally, there is 12 x 7m of uninterrupted floor space, with a head height of 5.5m.

It is used for painting all of the sets and backdrops for the Conservatoire’s many in-house productions including Drama, Musicals and Operas. It is also utilised extensively in the training of all Scenic Art /Production Arts students in drawing, painting, texturing, faux finishing and all other aspects of both traditional and contemporary scenic art techniques.

Two industrial sinks, with sump, allow for the safe use and cleaning of equipment when using water-based paints. Spray painting is facilitated by a silent compressor.


Design Studios

Students prepare mini set designs in the Design Studio office.

If you choose to specialise in design – whether that is costume or set – you will find yourself at home in the design rooms within the Wallace Studios.

Specially created to be light, airy spaces where designers can work on their sketches and model boxes, these studios are havens of creativity. Classes take place during the term in the studios and students will also work there throughout the year, finessing their latest designs.


Props

A student wearing protective goggles measures and prepares pieces of wood to build props.

For students who choose to specialise in props, the Production workshop houses a wet and dry props room where you are encouraged to let your imagination run wild.

Led by tutors with decades of industry experience, you will be encouraged to create your own designs, as well as work with designers and directors from across the conservatoire to make works for live performances taking place at RCS.


Construction Workshop

A high shot looking down on the Wallace Production Room. A group of students work on building a prop in the corner.

At the heart of the Wallace Studios is the massive construction workshop – large enough to house a full-sized paint frame, the only one of its kind in Scotland.

The construction workshop is where designers’ visions come to life. The majority of all RCS sets are built within the workshop and Production students will work alongside the designers and directors to create the best theatre experience possible.

The construction workshop is always a hub of activity – we recommend you visit to see for yourself the collaborative nature of the work of RCS students!


Stage Technologies

A sound design student works backstage during the 'Children of Eden' performance. A soundboard lights up. Actors can be seen on stage.

In 2008 we introduced specialist training in stage automation using a state-of-the-art system from industry giants Stage Technologies. In so doing, we became the world’s first industry-endorsed training provider of this equipment, used in major productions around the world.

Study Production at RCS

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