Placements and Professional Practice
In the summer term undergraduates are encouraged to gain employability skills by working in professional environments. During their undergraduate degree all students learn about the environment of a professional theatre by working on the MA season, where they extend their expertise in areas such as lighting and sound technicians, actors, scenographers, stage managers and in marketing.
From the second year onwards students are encouraged to apply their knowledge by working in the cultural sector. They may follow enrichment courses with professional theatre-makers, undertake placements or develop their own work for public performance. In 2011 students undertook placements with The Theatre Royal Haymarket, at The Brighton Festival, The Globe and Patchwork Theatre. Professional performances by Royal Holloway students brought history to life in two settings. One company staged a public performance for families and children in Herschel Park, Slough and another performed an 18th century play, Lover’s Vows, at Jane Austen’s village of Chawton in partnership with the National Trust.
Students also enjoyed workshops with well-known artists and theatre-makers, including puppeteer Stephen Mottram, site-based performers Sally Watkins and Sue Palmer, Lucy Algar and Nicholas Bone, and Mole Wetherell from Reckless Sleepers.
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Devise, Design, Direct with Lucy Algar and Nicholas Bone
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In the students’ words:
"I took part in the Slough Museum Theatre Project. It was a really interesting, enjoyable and rewarding experience. I was able to research a town which I didn't know a lot about, and give something back to the community through our skills of drama. The performance day itself was the most rewarding; hearing positive feedback from people of all generations really made the project worthwhile. Community-based theatre is something which I hadn't done before, but I am now hoping to carry on with it"
Marina Walker
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Herschel Park Museum Theatre
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"I worked with Patchwork theatre company during the summer term. The time spent with Tina and Rachel allowed me to see a whole host of the different aspects to their career, from active working days with creative schools, how they are involved in rehearsals for summer productions to the government paperwork that they must complete after the projects. It was all very insightful and I enjoyed my time thoroughly.
"The summer placements were a great addition to the Royal Holloway summer term and it has opened my eyes to further options"
Rebecca Petford
"Working at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket gave me a glimpse into the workings of a West End theatre. Not only did I learn from the workshops I was assisting on, I also made useful contacts for the future"
Jade Kearney
"Working at Brighton Festival on an immersive promenade piece was very useful and interesting experience"
Florence Platford
"Working on an MA show at Royal Holloway has given me valuable experience in terms of acting and a taste of what it’s like to work in a professional environment"
Francesca Smith