School Theatre Support Group

For the first time, our conference will take place over a full weekend from Friday 16th - Sunday 18th February 2018.

As well as the main Saturday conference, which includes workshops, seminars, lunch, dinner and accommodation in the full package, we are pleased to offer two extra events for members:

Friday 16th February - Performance Award Support Symposium.

Sunday 18th February - Rigging training / Hawthorn visit.

See the Conference page for more details.

We are pleased to be able to offer places on another essential H&S training course on Thursday 19th October at The Leys School, Cambridge. A few places are still available.

All employers have a legal duty under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order to ensure staff receive training, and this course will ensure you meet that duty.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone who is a designated Fire Marshal (i.e. responsible for a performance venue).

What Will They Learn?

This training will cover the role of the fire marshal within the theatre and production environment.

Course Content

• Fire behaviour.
• Human nature.
• General fire precautions, good housekeeping and how to avoid fire starting.
• Emergency plans/ Evacuation strategy.
• Basic fire prevention / fire doors / exit routes.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Systematic searching.
• Shutting down vital or dangerous equipment.
• Assisting those in the premises to leave.
• Fire fighting equipment.
• Reporting faults.

Certificate

All candidates receive an RB Health & Safety Solutions Fire Marshal Certificate valid for 3 years on successful completion of the course.

Booking

Members have received booking information by e-mail. Please contact us to book. Limited numbers, so first-come, first-served. Course fees must be paid in advance.

STSG was once again part of the ABTT Theatre Show (6th-7th June, Alexandra Palace).

We also formally launched Version 3 of our Performance Support Award at the show.

For those who aren't aware, the STSG Performance Support Award is an extra-curricular teaching programme for young people who want to be involved with backstage drama outside the classroom, and to encourage an active interest in the industry. It has been developed by STSG members in response to demands for a low-cost non-academic course, which can be tailored to suit the needs of technicians and tutors responsible for running after-school clubs or tech crews, and for pupils getting their first taste of backstage theatre.

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

Over 50 members and industry specialists from across the country gathered together for the School Theatre Support Group conference, held at the Centenary Theatre, Berkhamsted School, on Saturday 18th February 2017.

Theatre Technicians, Theatre Managers and Drama Teachers came together for the annual conference; celebrating their professions, discussing new advances in technologies, and debating the trials and tribulations of the Creative Arts industry in education.

Hosted by the Centenary Theatre, delegates took part in a series of hands-on demonstrations and seminars with leading professionals from the performance technology industry, including White Light, AC Entertainment Technologies, Stage Electrics, Hawthorn and Illuminate Design.

International theatre design company, Charcoalblue, gave an inspiring talk about the importance of design and how to make the most of your space. This year, STSG also welcomed Digital Theatre+ and Ticket Solve, who came to offer insight into the benefits of their systems and how they are supporting the education market.

Having this kind of access to professionals and industry contacts is a vital part of STSG, in addition to the opportunity to network and make connections with other schools.

"I found the conference really interesting. As a new member of STSG it was really great to have the opportunity to network with others working in education. There were some very informative talks, including ABTT which outlined changes in Health and Safety practice, and Digital Theatre who presented an online toolbox of videos, lesson resources and live recordings of popular shows that work in conjunction with exam boards.
I would highly recommend membership and attending future conferences. STSG has built up a community of professionals who are very supportive and striving towards a common goal; creating opportunity and providing professional services for young people."

Photo Gallery

You can follow a timeline of the day on Twitter, using #STSG2017.

Tweets by @SchoolTheatreUK

ABTT's Bronze, Silver and Gold professional development awards for technicians are available every summer & 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.

STSG was formerly known as the Schools' Theatre Support Group, but we have dropped the 's' and apostrophe, to become just the SCHOOL THEATRE SUPPORT GROUP.