Since graduating from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2019 with First-Class Honours in Stage Management, Arran has built a successful freelance career in commercial theatre, progressing from Stage Management into Company Management.
Having worked on major productions across the UK and internationally, Arran is now overseeing the UK tour of Sylvia, starring Beverley Knight, while continuing to champion collaboration, wellbeing and inclusive working practices across the industry.
“I chose to study Stage Management because I knew I wanted to work in theatre, but I was particularly drawn to everything that happens behind the scenes to bring a production together. I've always enjoyed organising, solving problems and working with people, so stage management felt like a natural combination of those skills. What appealed to me most was the variety of the role. Every day is different, and you're involved in so many aspects of a production, from rehearsals and performance calls to communication, scheduling and supporting the wider company.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire stood out because of the practical nature of the course and the opportunity to learn in a working conservatoire environment. I wanted training that reflected the realities of the industry rather than being entirely classroom based. Being surrounded by performers, creatives and technicians made the experience feel connected to the profession from the beginning. Studying close to home also allowed me to build relationships within the Midlands while developing skills that would support a career across the UK.
Although I knew I wanted to work in theatre, I didn't have a fixed idea of exactly where my career would take me. The course introduced me to the many different paths within stage management, and after beginning my career in stage management, I found myself increasingly drawn towards Company Management. It brought together the aspects of the job I enjoyed most: organisation, communication, logistics and supporting people.
The course itself was practical, varied and demanding. It taught me how much preparation and teamwork are required to deliver a successful production, as well as the importance of remaining calm and adaptable when plans change. More than any individual module, it was the experience of working on productions alongside different departments that shaped my interests. It encouraged me to think beyond the day-to-day running of a performance and consider the wider responsibility of looking after a company. That people-focused approach stayed with me and ultimately led me into Company Management, where creating a supportive working environment is just as important as delivering the production itself.
Today, I work as a freelance Company Manager on major commercial theatre productions across the UK and internationally. I am currently Company Manager for Eleanor Lloyd Productions on the UK tour of Sylvia, starring Beverley Knight, which culminates at the Royal Albert Hall in November. My recent credits include The Last Ship, featuring music and lyrics by Sting, Operation Mincemeat, The Book of Mormon, Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, & Juliet, The Drifters Girl and Dreamgirls.
As a Company Manager, I act as the link between producers, theatres, creative teams, production departments and the acting company. My role includes coordinating travel and accommodation, managing schedules, liaising with venues and supporting the day-to-day welfare of the company. It is a role that balances operational delivery with pastoral care, ensuring productions run efficiently while creating an environment where people feel supported, heard and able to do their best work.
The practical foundation I gained through my degree continues to shape my work every day. My stage management training taught me how to communicate clearly, plan effectively, manage competing priorities and respond calmly when unexpected situations arise. It also gave me a valuable understanding of the pressures people experience during rehearsals, performances and touring, making me better equipped to support both individuals and the wider company. The professional standards and work ethic I developed at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire made the transition into the industry much smoother and provided a strong foundation on which to build my career.
If there is one skill I will carry with me throughout my life, it is communication. Stage management taught me that communication is about far more than simply sharing information. It's about listening, understanding how different people work and making sure everyone has what they need to succeed. Whether I'm managing last-minute changes, supporting company members or working with producers and venues, thoughtful communication makes an enormous difference. University also taught me to stay calm and focus on solutions, an approach that has become invaluable both professionally and personally.
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Since graduating in 2019, my career has grown in ways I couldn't have imagined. I've worked on productions in the West End and on tours across the UK and internationally, collaborating with an extraordinary range of people and working in theatres and cities I may never otherwise have experienced. Alongside production work, I've contributed to producing and cultural development projects with organisations including the Belgrade Theatre, BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry BID and the National Theatre Connections Festival.
I'm also passionate about improving the industry beyond the productions themselves. I've supported work around diversity, representation and fairer working practices through organisations including Inc Arts UK, while serving as a Board Member of the Stage Management Association and as a Trustee of Freelancer Make Theatre Work.
Receiving an Honorary Membership from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire was a particularly meaningful moment in my career. To be recognised by the institution where my professional journey began was an incredible honour, and I'm proud to remain connected to the Conservatoire and its community.
Looking back, I'm proud of the career I've built, but I'm equally proud that my work enables me to support others. The values I developed during my time at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - preparation, collaboration, care and professionalism - continue to shape the kind of Company Manager I strive to be every day.”