UWTSD student works on innovative digital theatre production

A Theatre Design and Production student at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has recently worked on a ground-breaking digital theatre production with Wales’ two national theatre companies.

Macx Roche.

Macx Roche, a final year student at UWTSD was appointed Technical Stage Manager on the digital commission Fy Ynys Las by Eddie Ladd - a Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and National Theatre Wales production in partnership with BBC Cymru Wales and BBC Arts.  Fy Ynys Las, a Welsh-language performance, was first shown on online on May 20^th and is now available to watch on YouTube.

The production wowed audiences and was praised for being an engaging, multi-media and personal experience.  It was written and performed by acclaimed artist and performer Eddie Ladd and focuses on her move home during lockdown to live with her mam on the farm where she grew up – Maesglas. In every nook and cranny of this wonderful spot – the farmhouse, the cowshed, the farmyard and the potato shed – Eddie revisits her family history, stories from the local community and memories of her own long and varied career.

“Working on this project has definitely been an eye opening experience,” says Macx.  “On previous projects, I’d worked with a collective of creative people - directors, creatives, and actors – but with ‘Fy Ynys Las’, Eddie Ladd was the director, creator, and presenter / actor. For me, this was a new working dynamic.

“With the added complications of producing during ‘lockdown’, it meant that all communication was digital.  There was ‘face to face’ contact, it was all through video conferencing. Working from home has also been something I have had to get accustomed to!” adds Macx.

Throughout their three years at UWTSD, students on the Theatre Design and Production programmes experience a range of opportunities that equip them with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in this competitive industry and offer them a varied range of opportunities to develop and grow in the respective fields.  Macx certainly feels that he’s benefited from a range of experience which have allowed him to progress and to find employment on such an exciting project.

“When asked the question if my degree has helped me, my answer would always be yes, without a shadow of doubt,” continues Macx.  “I cannot praise my course highly enough - my lecturers and the experiences I have gained throughout my three years. This course has given me a lot of confidence in my abilities, not solely in working in theatre, but across the board.

“The skills I’d developed throughout my time at UWTSD definitely aided me when I was working on this Digital Commission Project – the ability to work to tight time constraints; to be able to communicate between departments; to problem solve and to be able to utilise my multiple technological-based skills.”

Angharad Mair Davies, Head of Production at the Welsh-medium Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru was very pleased that Macx was a part of this ambitious project.

“It is wonderful to be able to employ a local Welsh speaking Stage Manager on our digital commissions. Macx is a well-respected member of our production team, and is stage managing the productions from the comfort of his own home. The Theatre Design and Production course at UWTSD in Carmarthen has clearly prepared Macx to be working as an industry professional.”

The BA Theatre Design & Production degree offered at UWTSD’s Carmarthen campus is a practical, hands-on programme designed to build upon a broad foundation of production skills, right through to producing performances and events.

The course enables students to explore, design and create exciting new work alongside industry professionals and its key principle is to develop students to be skilled in more than one area so that they’re ready to engage in the wider performance sector – something that’s definitely benefited Macx.

Throughout the degree, there is flexibility to allow students to specialise and explore their own pathway whilst offering a variety of work placement opportunities to make sure students gain the experience required and the support needed to help them as they enter the world of work.

"Work placements is what makes our course valuable as we have many links within the theatre and entertainment industry,” explains Dave Atkinson, a lecturer in Theatre Design & Production.

“When lockdown was brought in, the last thing I thought would happen was a work placement opportunity but with the digital commissions being brought forward by BBC, National Theatre Wales and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru it was a genuine surprise to find out there was an opportunity for a student to work on a production directly in response to lockdown as a technical stage manager,” continues Dave.

“What I feel gives the course credit is that companies come to us for student placements, not just the university reaching out to industry, because they know the standard we produce is what is needed in the work place."

Further Information

For further information, please contact Sian-Elin Davies, Principal Communications and PR Officer on 01267 676908 / 07449 998476 sian-elin.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk