The life of a techie

Hey everyone,

So I've been researching and googling all over to see if there was any advice about what to do, what not to do, what to prepare for, etc as I'm so excited but anxious to be studying theatre production/ technical theatre in the UK ! Couldn't find anything relevant so I decided to take it to here.

Just a little bit about me, I've been interested and involved in theatre for 5 years now, always been a techie from the day my teacher asked me if I wanted to work backstage. I've applied to 7 drama schools for the 2016/2017 School year: ALRA, RADA, LAMDA, Central, Rose Bruford, Mountview and East 15. I've been offered a place for two so far, ALRA & Mountview. Still conducting interviews with the others.

Anyway, so feel free to comment, ask questions, etc. Looking forward to hearing your responses! Hopefully I can hear from others about their feelings towards starting school in Sept 2016 like me!

Reply 1

clair-e

Hi,
I'm a techie also and I've been to the interview for LAMDA. Honestly they are so nice it's crazy. I might be somewhat what biased because I was offered a place there but they make the interview very comfortable.
You get shown round the building first and then you meet some department heads. I met the heads of Stage Management and Sound who are so nice and willing to answer any of your questions. You sit in the LAMDA student common room until your interview. I had mine first and I was escorted there by a third year ST student. You go in and sit opposite the head of STM who is called Rob. You talk to him the most but in my interview there was The Head of Lighting and a another woman from the course. Rob asks you the most questions and goes through some scenarios where he asks you simple theatre questions like stage left and stage right.
I brought with me a folder full of work which i had gathered when I worked as Head Stage Manager in my school's production of Cabaret which they looked over as we chatted.
I'm starting in 2016 September and I'm so so excited. The interview is a lovely time and everyone is super nice.
Just go in with confidence and they will love you!
Let me know how it goes!
Claire

Reply 2

bda_techie

OP

Original post by clair-e

Hi,
I'm a techie also and I've been to the interview for LAMDA. Honestly they are so nice it's crazy. I might be somewhat what biased because I was offered a place there but they make the interview very comfortable.
You get shown round the building first and then you meet some department heads. I met the heads of Stage Management and Sound who are so nice and willing to answer any of your questions. You sit in the LAMDA student common room until your interview. I had mine first and I was escorted there by a third year ST student. You go in and sit opposite the head of STM who is called Rob. You talk to him the most but in my interview there was The Head of Lighting and a another woman from the course. Rob asks you the most questions and goes through some scenarios where he asks you simple theatre questions like stage left and stage right.
I brought with me a folder full of work which i had gathered when I worked as Head Stage Manager in my school's production of Cabaret which they looked over as we chatted.
I'm starting in 2016 September and I'm so so excited. The interview is a lovely time and everyone is super nice.
Just go in with confidence and they will love you!
Let me know how it goes!
Claire

Hey Claire,

I'm interested in LAMDA, they seem so fun and very close with their students. They haven't confirmed an interview date with me yet but I'm looking forward to it. 😁 I will definitely keep you updated on the interview date and how it all goes!

I mostly have work like order of show, programs, props list, etc. That should be good enough right? I can't wait to actually be on a SMTT course!

Reply 3

clair-e

Hey bda techie,
I'm so excited for you! It's amazing just to walk round LAMDA and see all the history.
That all sounds brilliant! What I had with me that they asked me the most about
1. The script of the show annotated (failing that I think if you find bits of script mark it with tech and actor question)
2. They also liked my actor and tech blocking sheets. I went through every scene and blocked out what actor was on stage and when they went off stage. Same with tech ques. They wanted to see that you have organisation skills.
Also when they ask you 'where do you research for a show' do not say the internet 😂
3. Photo's for sure
Good luck with your interview☺️
Claire

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Reply 4

bda_techie

OP

Original post by clair-e

Hey bda techie,
I'm so excited for you! It's amazing just to walk round LAMDA and see all the history.
That all sounds brilliant! What I had with me that they asked me the most about
1. The script of the show annotated (failing that I think if you find bits of script mark it with tech and actor question)
2. They also liked my actor and tech blocking sheets. I went through every scene and blocked out what actor was on stage and when they went off stage. Same with tech ques. They wanted to see that you have organisation skills.
Also when they ask you 'where do you research for a show' do not say the internet 😂
3. Photo's for sure
Good luck with your interview☺️
Claire

Posted from TSR Mobile

Thanks so much! I won't have interview with LAMDA until May👎🏽 but that's around the corner so yay💃🏽. I definitely have a few scripts from when I was apart of my high school productions and scripts from some plays that I have worked on. I can definitely say I have a program from every show I have been apart of😂 (Got signatures from the cast to prove it 😂)

I'll definitely keep you posted! My next interview is Central, than East 15 in late April, Rose Bruford, LAMDA and RADA in early May. So excited but nervous as well😩

Reply 5

bda_techie

OP

So just updating this thread.... I've been offered a place on Centrals Theatre Sound course for October 2016😁! Now I've been accepted into 3/7 of the schools I've applied to! Four more interviews to go!

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Reply 6

bda_techie

OP

Just keeping the post alive to whoever reads this thread... I finally have almost all my interview dates! Just waiting on RADA to reply back to me with a date, nervous but excited for my interviews with Rose Bruford, LAMDA, and East 15 acting school! Wish me luck! I'll try to keep this thread up to date!

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Reply 7

alkaline.

17

do you refer to your balls as techsticles?

Reply 8

bda_techie

OP

Original post by alkaline.

do you refer to your balls as techsticles?

Well I wouldn't know since I'm a female... #JustSaying

Reply 9

bda_techie

OP

Hey! So it's been a while since I've updated everyone! I had my interviews with RADA & LAMDA two weeks ago. Patiently waiting on the results. I think I'm going to decline mount views offer. I'm still considering Central as my school of choice. Those who have applied to LAMDA & RADA how long does it take for them to let you know if you've secured a place or not?

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Reply 10

clair-e

Hi!
I was offered a place at LAMDA and it came through relatively quickly. I think a couple of days to get a yes reply. Rob the course leader rang me and the letter came through a day later.
Good luck!

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