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The London Season has just wrapped for us here at Rose Bruford College and what a journey it has been! For our Scenic Arts students, this is the ultimate test – a chance to experience first-hand what it truly takes to work with a designer, build and install a set within a strict timeframe and budget. This immersive module pushes students to refine their skill, think creatively under pressure and collaborate within a professional environment, preparing them for careers in theatre, events and beyond.
From Concept to Construction: The Scenic Arts Journey
The process kicks off with a collaborative meeting across departments, including stage management, costume and lighting, where the designer unveils their final concept. From mood boards to material selections, every detail has been carefully considered. Now, it’s up to our Scenic Arts team to bring the designer’s vision to life – creatively and practically – while staying within budget.
With tutors guiding the way, students break down the scenic elements, selecting the best materials – whether wood, metal, paint or adhesives – to bring the design to life. Every screw, plank and tin of paint is carefully costed, leading to budget meetings where teams collaborate to decide what stays, what can be adapted and what needs reimagining. This is where students tackle real-world challenges – will the set fit through theatre doors? Can large pieces be easily reassembled on-site? Problem-solving skills take centre stage as students anticipate obstacles and strategise solutions before construction even begins.
Sustainability is at the heaty of our work and we align with the Theatre Green Book to ensure materials are reused and recycled, considering the afterlife of each set piece.
Building the Dream: The Workshop Buzz
Once the materials arrive, the real work begins. Our third-year students take on managerial roles, leading their second-year scenic assistance with a structured daily agenda – planning everything from cutting and assembling, to drying times and workspace coordination. Health and safety remain a top priority, ensuring a professional, efficient and safe working environment for everyone involved.
For three intense weeks, the workshop is a hive of activity – filled with the sound of saws, the buzz of drills and the hum of teamwork, all powered by our students’ playlist that keeps the energy high! It’s a fat-paced, demanding process, but the sense of achievement and camaraderie makes it all worthwhile.
Tech Week: Thinking on Your Feet
With the set packed up and loaded onto the truck, it’s time for get-in day at Greenwich Theatre. Here, students gain hands-on experience with loading in, winching set pieces, rigging and adapting to a new environment as they bring the show to life.
Once the set is in place, rehearsals kick off, leading into the fast-paced tech week – a crucial phase where paint calls, last-minute tweaks, and unexpected challenges but students’ problem-solving skills to the test. Watching the set come alive with lighting, actors and stage management is an incredibly rewarding moment, reinforcing the importance of every creative and technical decision made along the way.
Striking the Set: Reflection & Sustainability
When the show closes, our students return to the workshop for the get-out process. This isn’t just about dismantling – it’s about responsible disposal and repurposing. With the Theatre Green Book in hand, we ensure that a much of the set as possible is recycled or reused, keeping sustainability at the forefront.
The London Season is a rollercoaster of emotions – challenging, exhilarating, exhausting and deeply rewarding. It’s an experience that pushes boundaries, builds resilience and instils a deep sense of pride in the work created. Our students come out of it not just with incredible sills and industry knowledge, but with a true appreciation for the art of scenic construction.
So, future scenic artists – are your ready to step up, think big and bring designs to life? Because at Rose Bruford College, we don’t just build sets – we build careers.