University News Last updated 30 November 2022
They will be sharing their expertise as part of the backstage teams behind a number of festive productions in Birmingham and beyond.
Third-year students Jessica Kendall, Josh Howes and Zoe Matthews are working on The Nutcracker at Birmingham Hippodrome as Stage Crew as part of their third-year professional placement, along with Ryan Darby as a Fly Operator. Graduates Jordan Oliver, Oliver Boot and Charlii Dipple are also working the production as Followspot Operator and Fly Operator.
Over at the Alexandra Theatre, graduate Arran Pallin is Company Manager for the National Tour of Dreamgirls the Musical. While in Birmingham, Arran will host a graduate talk with current students, as well as giving them a backstage tour of the production.
At Birmingham Repertory Theatre, graduate Myra Long is Deputy Stage Manager for their Winter Festival as part of the Schools Outreach Programme, and graduate Ryker Young is working as a Caption Operator on Nativity! The Musical, with Sara Jayne-Smyth as Lighting Operator. Third-year student Libby Glass is an Assistant Stage Manager as part of her placement year.
Graduate Jasper Mattel is taking on the role of Deputy Stage Manager for Evolution Productions’ pantomime Beauty and the Beast at the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury.
Third-year student Megan Goodearl is Assistant Stage Manager on placement at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre for pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, while fellow student Jazmyne Evans is taking the role of Deputy Stage Manager at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on the production of Cinderella.
Third-year student Darcy O’Grady is currently working on Beauty and the Beast at The Core Theatre in Solihull, as Assistant Stage Manager.
The BA (Hons) Stage Management Course Director Jacqui Findlay, lecturers Helen Gibbs and Louise Turner said: “We are incredibly proud of our current students and graduates and wish them all the very best of luck with their productions.”
Pictured (left): Third-year Stage Management students Joshua Howes, Jessica Kendall and Zoe Matthews outside the Birmingham Hippodrome, (right) Arran Pallin, Company Manager for UK National Tour of Dreamgirls the Musical