School Theatre Support Group

Details are now available for our next annual conference which will take place on Saturday 16th February 2019 at The Perse School in Cambridge.

The conference will include workshops, seminars, lunch, dinner and accommodation in the full package.

STSG members can find a Booking Form on the Members' Website

If you are a company interested in sponsoring this event, please contact the Group Administrator.

You can follow the event via our Twitter feed, using the hashtag #STSG2019 .

We exhibit every year at the ABTT Theatre Show which takes place in June at Alexandra Palace in London.

Last year, we formally launched Version 3 of our Performance Support Award at the show, as well as meeting many existing and prospective members.

Registration is free in advance.

The most recent STSG Conference took place on Friday 16th - Sunday 18th February 2018 at Uppingham School, Rutland.

It was our ninth conference, having run 8 successful conferences since 2008. This year was our first-ever 3 day event.

The Saturday featured a busy programme of workshops and seminars with lunch included and drinks in the Theatre Bar to finish. The day was followed by a special dinner at Uppingham School.

Workshops were provided by our industry sponsors and other invited speakers. There were also the usual opportunities to network with other members and the company reps/exhibitors.

Performance Support Award Symposium

This year we held an open symposium on the Friday afternoon before the main conference. This focused on the STSG Performance Support Award, and included an in-depth talk-through of the scheme, plus a look at our moderation and assessment plans. There was also be a chance to ask questions and share examples of the Award in use. The symposium was attended by 20 members.

Members can find the notes from the day on our Members' Website .

Conference Workshops/Exhibitors

• Hawthorn
  The day started with a bang! - A demonstration of pyro by Le Maitre , courtesy of Hawthorn.


• White Light
  Next, West End and international lighting designer, Charlie Morgan Jones, gave a design seminar, courtesy of White Light.


• Stage Electrics
  After lunch, Stage Electrics presented a seminar on Electrical Safety in Small Venues. A copy of the presentation can be found on the Members' Website.


• AC Entertainment Technologies
  To finish the day, AC-ET gave a demonstration of projection technology for the stage, with a chance to get hands-on. A copy of the presentation can be found on the Members' Website.


• Charcoalblue
  Also in attendance, theatre consultants Charcoalblue offered 2 drop-in sessions to discuss refurbishments and "making the best of it".


• ABTT
  Robin Townley, CEO of the ABTT joined us all day, as well as giving an update on the latest H&S matters and Codes of Practice.


• Illuminate Design - Exhibitor.


• Philips Entertainment Lighting - Sponsor.

More details about our sponsors can be found on the Supporters page.

Rigging training / Hawthorn visit

This year we were very pleased to be able to include a day at Hawthorn Theatrical, who are based nearby at Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray. In addition to their sponsorship, Hawthorn kindly agreed to hold a day of rigging training, including details of maintenance and LOLER regs, plus plenty of hands-on time in their warehouse with all sorts of rigging kit. Hawthorn provided a light buffet lunch, and there was also an opportunity to tour around their warehouse facilities.

In response to several member requests, in March 2017 we conducted a survey of all STSG members, asking about salary and job role.

These are the results for average salary (full-time), although the figures should be viewed lightly as there are wide variations in salaries, job titles and responsibilities:

Technician outside of London = £20,800

Technician in London = £23,600

Manager outside of London = £29,000

Manager in London = £32,400

It should be noted that the London sample was comparatively small, therefore it is likely that the average is not as accurate as for the rest of the country. The management average is also difficult to assess, because there was no differentiation between venue type or number of staff, etc.

Other questions asked about job title, employment status, experience, extra responsibilities and benefits, and salary satisfaction.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, over 88% of respondents reported that they regularly work over contracted hours, although most receive recompense for this (e.g. over-time or time off in lieu).

STSG members can download the full report from the documents section of the Members' Website

Tweets by @SchoolTheatreUK

ABTT's Bronze, Silver and Gold professional development awards for technicians are available every summer in Coventry and elsewhere in the country at other times.

Please visit the ABTT website for details of the next available courses.

We have used RB Health & Safety Solutions to provide essential Health & Safety courses to members, including a Fire Marshal course (October 2017) and IOSH 'Working Safely for Theatres' (March 2017), as well as helping another member run 'CDM in the Entertainment Industry' (April 2017).

If you would like to host a training course, or have specific training needs, please contact us.

RB also offers a discount to STSG members for auditing services.

Since June 2014 the STSG is affiliated as a sub-committee of the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT), giving us wider recognition as an organisation and also raising awareness of theatre work within schools.

We are continuing to operate independently with our own Constitution and Committee, but we will be adhering to the principles and objectives of the ABTT.

STSG membership is separate to ABTT membership, although joining both organisations is encouraged.