Starting with a backstage visit to the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, the conference, held at Rugby School in Warwickshire, included workshops by White Light, Stage Electrics and Charcoalblue Theatre Consultants. Other exhibitors included AC Entertainment Technologies, Theatre-in-a-Box, and Tophex TheatreCom.
The STSG is a small, but established network of professional theatre technicians and managers working in UK school theatres. The biennial conference (with plans to become an annual event from next year) is the main focus of the Group, bringing together its members with suppliers and leading industry practitioners. One members states, "I have been working in education and it is easy to lose touch with the outside world. Listening to professionals who are in the thick of it and at the top of their game is an inspiration."
School theatre technicians are an isolated breed of theatre professional who are asked to manage and maintain a working theatre within the demanding environment of a school - often single-handedly designing, co-ordinating and running several productions a year, plus supporting the drama teaching department, managing external lettings, organising meetings, fixing broken equipment and ensuring safety. All with endless enthusiasm and energy, whilst encouraging the next generation of budding technicians, designers and performers.
The next conference is planned for February 2013 at Hampton School in London.
(Jim Evans)
