At Cranleigh, anyone wanting to participate in Drama is equally welcome behind the scenes working in Production Arts. The Theatre Manager runs a large student crew who provide backstage support to all School productions and events, from the smallest House Play to the largest musical. This comprises pupils from the Fourth Form to the Upper Sixth and there is training in in all areas of lighting and sound, stage management, set construction, costume and makeup. More experienced pupils will start to produce their own designs and take key roles in the running of productions.

The department is also responsible for supporting those who wish to pursue design and technical elements for Academic Drama, helping GCSE and A-Level student with their Set, Lighting and Costume designs and supporting a BTEC in Production Arts. Please explore the site to learn more about our work.

Stage Craft

We teach basic stagecraft such as:

Parts of the theatre and stage terminology
Theatre safety
Work at height and use of access equipment
Scenic construction and safe use of tools
Painting and scenic art techniques

We have a well-equipped workshop with all the tools you would expect to find in a professional theatre.

Lighting

We teach:

Principles of Lighting
Lighting Design
Safe Rigging and Electrics
Focussing
Programming
Show Operation

Students choosing to submit a Lighting Design for GCSE Drama can develop their skills in a variety of theatre spaces on a wide range of equipment.

Our equipment stock is extensive and mainly comprises modern fixtures from ETC Lighting and Selecon. We operate an industry-stand ETC Ion in the Speech Hall and a ETC Congo Junior in the studio for ease of training. We work closely with outside professional designers and technicians who share their expertise with our students.

Sound

We teach:

Microphones and mic placement
Mixing sound for live performances
Analogue and digital sound desks
Sound effect editing
Show control software

We operate a large sound system and stock a wide range of dynamic, condenser and radio microphones in support of school shows. Our main sound mixing desk is a digital console, the Allen and Heath iLive T112 supplemented by a smaller Allen and Heath desk, the Qu16. Our main PA and stage monitors are from Kv2 Audio and are augmented by an extensive stock of smaller speakers and equipment. Show control and playback uses the industry-wide software, QLab, which is extensively used in theatre and live entertainment. We are fortunate to work with several excellent freelance sound engineers who share their love of their discipline with the student team.

Stage Management

Stage Management is led by Miss. Emma Wallis who has extensive stage management experience.

We teach:

Roles and Responsibilities of a backstage team
Script Marking
“Calling” a show
Communications Etiquette
Prop Sourcing and Props Making

Meet The Team

Mr H.A. Ellis

E-mail:hae@cranleigh.org

Mr Hamish Ellis joined Cranleigh this year as Theatre Manager, having previously experienced the freelance life as a touring theatre technician.

Miss E.L. WallisBA, PGCE (pending)

E-mail:elw@cranleigh.org

Ms Emma Wallis teaches Physics and is non-resident Deputy Housemistress of Rhodes. A former Cranleighan, Ms Wallis returned to Cranleigh after studying Physics at St Anne's College, Oxford. Her other passion is for theatre and she has been involved with a number of school productions, most notably Les Miserables.

Mr G.C. RoyallBSc

E-mail:gcr@cranleigh.org

Get Involved

An introduction to Production Arts is offered as an activity on Thursday 2-3pm – speak to your tutor to choose this activity. However you can get involved in your free time simply by contacting the Theatre Manager for further information and to be added to our contact list. No previous experience is required and all necessary training and equipment will be provided.