I have recently completed a degree in Theatre Design at Nottingham Trent University, achieving grade 2.1 BA (Hons).

My degree course has given me an excellent grounding in all aspects of theatrical production including creative, technical, communications and managerial aspects. Content has included set design and sceneography, model making, scenic and props construction, costume design and making, puppetry performance, and also the role of theatre in education. Teaching has comprised an effective mix of theory and practical work with the result that I am able to work with others to communicate and visualise concepts and ideas and then realise them in finished form. The course has given me the confidence and skills to understand how all of the different elements work together and contribute towards the effectiveness of the finished performance, and to know how to blend traditional techniques with innovation where appropriate to maximise its impact.

As part of my degree course I was heavily involved in two productions. In 2008 I worked full-time on a residential assignment with the Mercury Theatre in Colchester on their pantomime ‘Dick Whittington and the Pi-rats of the Caribbean’. Earlier this year I worked with The Television Workshop on their production of ‘Our House’ (winner of the Olivier Best Musical award 2003) performed at the Nottingham Arts Theatre. These two enabled me to experience first-hand working on professional productions of different scale and to tackle the challenges and see the elements that are common across all productions. On both of these I covered a range of different tasks but focussed on wardrobe roles.

My theatrical experience however goes back much further than my university studies. I first became involved through two amateur dramatic groups, Prestwood Theatre Club and Chesham Youth Theatre, which both put on local shows of a very high standard ( Prestwood Theatre Club has recently celebrated its 40th anniversary). Through these I tried a variety of roles form chorus to principal, and I also learnt the need for anyone involved in a production to be prepared to commit absolutely to the production and to be willing and versatile enough to turn their hand to any task that needs doing. These experiences led me to pursue my interest through a Drama ‘A’ level and an Arts Foundation Diploma in preparation for my chosen university course.