TH145-4-AU-CO:
Technical Theatre Production

The details
2026/27
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 18 December 2026
15
10 March 2026

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

BA W401 Drama,
BA W402 Drama (Including Year Abroad),
BA W403 Drama (Including Placement Year),
BA W408 Drama (Including Foundation Year),
BA QW24 Drama and Literature,
BA QW25 Drama and Literature (Including Placement Year),
BA WQ28 Drama and Literature (Including Foundation Year),
BA WQ42 Drama and Literature (Including Year Abroad),
BA P400 Film and Drama,
BA P401 Film and Drama (Including Year Abroad),
BA P402 Film and Drama (Including Placement Year),
BA P403 Film and Drama (Including Foundation Year),
BA WW80 Drama and Creative Writing,
BA WW81 Drama and Creative Writing (Including Foundation Year),
BA WW82 Drama and Creative Writing (including Placement Year),
BA WW83 Drama and Creative Writing (including Year Abroad)

Module description

Theatre is a collaborative art form. A company of theatre practitioners gathers to make a production, comprising of a producer, director, designers, composers, production manager, performers, technicians, musicians, stage management, promoters, choreographers, scenic artists, set builders etc. according to the needs of the production and the confines of the budget. Each person plays a key role and makes an individual creative contribution to the whole.


In this module, students will develop work related to Technical Theatre Arts. Through hands-on practical workshops, exercises, reflection and seminars this module introduces students to the basic principles of technical theatre, which will be crucial knowledge for use throughout their degree courses. Students work through the basic concepts of lighting, sound, video, stage & production management, along with understanding health & safety in the theatre space.


The conclusion of the module is an assessment that will see students working collaboratively with the goal of staging the technical aspects of a given performance piece on the main stage of Lakeside Theatre.

Module aims

The aims of the module are:



  • To give students a broad, basic introduction to the technical theatre arts.

  • To enable students to utilise this field with confidence and safe working practice.

  • To speak the language of theatre, enabling better communication of their creative theatre work.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to:



  1. Have a better understanding of the wide range of elements needed to put on a theatre production.

  2. To be familiar with the Lakeside Theatre production and technical facilities on offer to students to utilise throughout their drama education at Essex.

  3. Describe and apply basic principles of stage craft and theatre production, using appropriate technical and professional vocabulary.

  4. The students will be able to apply the skills learnt to enhance and illuminate their practical work throughout their degree and beyond.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Weekly 3-hour seminars in the Lakeside Theatre

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Formative assignment (Four reflective statements from your portfolio about the learning already delivered)    0% 
Coursework   Reflective Production Portfolio    45% 
Practical   Practical Project    50% 
Practical   Participation Mark    5% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Elizabeth Kuti, email: ejkuti@essex.ac.uk.
Harry Harris
LiFTS General Office - email: liftstt@essex.ac.uk Telephone 01206 872626

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
Yes

External examiner

Dr Christina Papagiannouli
University of South Wales
Research Fellow
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 3 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
3 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies

Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.