Backstage Roadshow

Exploring design creation through the world of theatrical costumes, seeing real costumes, learning considerations for character, formal elements (colour, line, shape), students will have the chance to design a costume of their own, whilst covering the roles of costume makers, supervisors, and designers in the creative industries.

This 3-hour workshop has been written and designed by tutors from our BA Production Arts Costume Pathway and is suitable for students aged 12-18.

Understanding the theory of design and learning about different types of lighting fixtures, before students learn how to rig them safely, plug them in, and create their own rough lighting design. This session demonstrates both hard and soft skills needed to bring a small lighting rig to working order.

This 3-hour workshop has been written and designed by tutors from our BA Production Arts Theatre Technology Pathway and is suitable for students aged 12-18. This workshop may require additional equipment set-up and pack-down time for our staff, and a room with a high ceiling and blackout capabilities (blinds or no windows).

Immersed straight into this hands-on session, students will learn from prop making professionals how to make fake food props from techniques used throughout the theatre, film, and television world. They will get to decorate and take home their very own fake food items ready for their next show or to trick friends and family.

This 3-hour workshop has been written and designed by tutors from our BA Production Arts Design Realisation Pathway and is suitable for students aged 12-18. It is ideally suited to a workshop or art room setting, due to the materials used, with a large sink available close by for cleaning equipment.

Understanding some of the techniques used by scenic artists to create realistic sets for stage and screen, students will create their own 3D illusion of a section of brick wall, with some graffiti, and will have creative input into the final design with the colours and stencils used.

This 3-hour workshop has been written and designed by tutors from our BA Production Arts Design Realisation Pathway and is suitable for students aged 12-18. It is ideally suited to a workshop or art room setting, due to the materials used, with a large sink available close by for cleaning equipment.

Developing an understanding of QLab software, the industry standard software for building sound, video, lighting and show control cues. Trusted by sound designers across the world, this workshop will allow students to demonstrate creative and critical thinking to realise their own sound design with QLab’s professional software. 

This 3-hour workshop has been written and designed by tutors from our BA Production Arts Theatre Technology Pathway and is suitable for students aged 12-18. The workshop uses MacBooks (provided) with headphones and requires access to 13a power.

Possibly the most agile department backstage, stage managers are often referred to as the glue that holds a production together. Students will learn a variety of skills, from how to use a professional theatre prompt desk, cueing to music, and operating comms headsets, to making fake blood and other useful props for the stage.

This 3-hour workshop has been written and designed by tutors from our BA Production Arts Stage Management Pathway and is suitable for students aged 12-18. This session requires a large room or studio where the floor space can be cleared, as well as desks and access to a large sink close by for cleaning equipment.

An introduction for beginners to the exciting world of digital design and production, learning how to cover buildings or stages with video using the latest game-engine and graphics-card powered software. Students can try out the tools for themselves and find out which aspects interest them most, in a growing industry fed by the event, game, film and stage industries.

This 3-hour workshop has been written and designed by tutors from our BA Production Arts Department and is suitable for students aged 12-18. This workshop requires a room with blackout capabilities (blinds or no windows) and access to 13a power.

• One lead facilitator and one workshop assistant to run each session.
• Workshops designed for up to eight students per session, lasting 2-3 hours.
• For multiple workshops, one Project Manager to co-ordinate our staff.
• All equipment needed for each session.
• Transport of equipment to and from your venue.
• All of our staff complete an Enhanced DBS check.
• Public Liability, Employers Liability, and Professional Indemnity Insurance of up to £10,000,000.
• Full risk assessments for all activities (supplied upon request).

Exact needs vary for each workshop, but for most we require a separate classroom with:

• Desks/tables, chairs/stools, and 13amp power.
• For Stage Management and Lighting, a large clear floor space such as a drama studio.
• For Prop Making, Scenic Art & Stage Management, access to a large sink (for washing brushes/tools) and a floor that can be easily cleaned for any spills.
• For Lighting and Video, blackout possibilities.
• Our equipment all comes in flight cases on wheels. If classrooms are not on the ground floor, we will require lift access.
• Parking for one large van may be required for delivery and collection of equipment.

• Workshops will be offered free to UK state secondary schools, multi-academy trusts and colleges.
• From November 2024, workshops will be offered within London boroughs. From January 2025, this will be extended to a region outside of London, with a third region added from September 2025 as the programme expands. These regions will be announced in November 2025.
• Workshops are suitable for secondary school years 8-11.
• Production technical support will be offered FREE to UK state primary schools and is suitable for Key Stage 2 (school years 3-6).
• Please note delivery capacity is currently limited to 2 school productions per year.

We will prioritise schools with a high proportion of students who:

• Are in receipt of free school meals.
• Are Black, Asian or ethnically diverse.
• Are likely to be from low socio-economic backgrounds.

The Backstage Roadshow will run for the Academic Years of 2024/25 and 2025/26, with support offered for two Primary School productions per year. We are taking enquiries for 2026/27, while securing future funding for the programmes continuation.

For secondary school workshops, please complete your expression of interest via this form.

Primary schools interested in production support, please register here.

Shortlisted schools will be contacted for an online meeting to discuss the options, prior to a site-visit being arranged ahead of any firm offer for the Backstage Roadshow to visit.

If you have any queries about the Backstage Roadshow, eligibility or applications, please contact our Production & Design Outreach Team by email to PAOutreach@gsmd.ac.uk

• Promote Production & Design training and career pathways to young people, parents/carers, and teachers.
• Support Guildhall School and the wider industry’s aims to improve diversity within the creative industry.
• Demystify backstage language and practices.
• Encourage and inspire young people to explore backstage careers further.
• Reach those with no/little prior experience of Production & Design.
• Increase teacher and career advisers’ knowledge of creative career paths.
• Signpost other opportunities within and outside of Guildhall School.

All participating schools will be required to take part in our evaluation study, providing crucial feedback for the future development and funding of this new programme.