2024 COLLECTION: THEATRE PRODUCTION PRACTICUM (TPP)

Theatre Production Practicum (TPP) provides students with the opportunity to apply what we have learned in our studies by creating our own small-scale school puppet production. From developing the initial concept to executing sound and lighting cues, TPP serves as a platform for us to explore our creativity while learning to manage a production independently.

I had the opportunity to try something completely new by creating puppets using clay. It was challenging but interesting, as I had to think through practical details such as weight distribution and how to configure the sticks at the base so the puppets could be properly manoeuvred during show day. This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me better understand how creative ideas need to be adapted to work in real performance settings.

Being the Stage Manager for TPP meant taking on a leadership and guiding role within the class, ensuring that deadlines were met and that the team was fully prepared for show days. One of my key responsibilities during performances was calling technical cues, including sound and lighting, as well as design cues, to ensure seamless transitions between scenes.. 

~ Stage Manager View during Show day 

Being a leader that provides guidance

Theatre Production Practicum taught me a form of leadership grounded in guidance rather than authority, and in being a pillar of support rather than an enforcer of instructions. Leading my class had required me to facilitate group & class discussions, catering to different working styles, and guide peers towards shared goals in completing the production.

 This experience had challenged me to rethink how I approach problems and how to help others navigate them constructively, reinforcing my interest in helping others and working together as a team, where these types of experiences and perspectives are shaped through discussion, interpretation, and guided understanding rather than instruction alone.

Being Confident in myself

At the start, I had many doubts about whether I could lead my class well, especially since I did not have prior experience in the professional theatre industry and was relying mainly on theory. I often questioned if what I knew was enough. 

With the support of peers who had outside theatre experience, I slowly learned what practical aspects to look out for and how theory could be applied in real situations. By involving myself in different parts of the production while being careful to not be overbearing and  checking in with the lecturer-in-charge before making major decisions, I gradually gained confidence in myself. 

This experience reminded me that learning does not happen alone, and that growth often comes by believing in yourself and never being afraid to ask for guidance.