The main reason I moved to London back in 2001 was to study at LAMDA. This is predominantly a drama school, but I had been accepted for the 2 year Stage Management & Technical Theatre Course.
I was expecting so much from this course, I was really looking forward to studying here. It seemed really hands one, which I preferred and what drew me to the course but I was disappointed within months of studying here.
The most important thing that prospective students should know about the Stage Management course is that the school *do not* encourage you to work outside the course as it is very demanding. This is hard if you've just moved to London, have spent thousands of pounds on fees and have no extra money to live on. I found this really taxing on both my freedom and my wallet!
The actual course itself had elements I did actually enjoy like the museum trips and the visits to other theatres and getting to see all the action backstage. There were far too many boring / technical elements to the course, which I really didn't enjoy. I felt the course could have been a little more creative - the art and audio elements of the course were really enjoyable.
Overall, the lack of creativity bored me and the controlling element (the fact you are expected to give up work and a social life!) really annoyed me, so much so that I left within 4 months.
If you are totally set on being a Stage Manager, then you should come here. They have good contacts and a solid reputation. Their drama course produces really talented actors and is not to be scoffed at but if you agree to all my points about, you should really think about applying elsewhere... read more