LOOKING AHEAD to the Summer Degree Shows here at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), anticipation is building for the opening of the BA Set Design and Production exhibition today (May 15) at Canolfan S4C Yr Egin in Carmarthen. This year’s celebrations are especially significant, as the course marks 25 years of nurturing creative talent and shaping the next generation of theatre-makers.
To celebrate, UWTSD is spotlighting recent graduate Ella Routledge whose journey from student to touring Stage Technician with Welsh National Opera reflects the breadth of opportunity the course can unlock.
When Ella began their BA Set Design and Production studies at UWTSD’s Carmarthen campus, they didn’t have a clear sense of where their career in theatre might lead, something they now see as a real advantage.
Ella said: “I started out very unfamiliar with the production process, and didn’t really know what role I would like, or would align with me the best.
“My course gave me the chance to try out every avenue of production and figure out for myself what role I wanted to pursue.”
Students on the course are encouraged to develop a wide-ranging skillset, with opportunities to explore areas such as set and costume design, scenic art, prop making, and stage management, preparing them for a variety of roles across theatre, film, and television. For Ella, that opportunity to explore made a lasting impact. Drawn to the variety theatre offers, they found themselves immersed in a discipline where no two projects are the same.
They said: “Every project is new and different, with opportunities to learn new skills and step outside of your comfort zone. I wanted a course and career path that offered me variety, and that’s exactly what I got.”
A key highlight of Ella’s time at UWTSD was working on the third-year Main House and Studio Productions, experiences that closely mirrored professional practice and helped build confidence. Collaboration is at the heart of the course, with students working across disciplines to bring productions to life in a professional studio environment.
Ella said: “My class came together to form a company, and we got to work alongside the acting students to put on real shows.
“It was fantastic getting to show what we’d learnt and the skills we’d gained through our studies. For me, seeing my designs come to life on a stage for the first time is something I won’t forget.”
These end-of-year productions, which form part of the wider Summer Degree Shows, were a defining moment.
Ella added: “We were given plenty of guidance but trusted with the responsibility of our roles. I came out of both shows feeling super accomplished.”
Beyond the stage, Ella also made the most of practical opportunities in Carmarthen, gaining industry experience alongside their studies.
They said: “I got Stage Management work right at the end of my first year, and in the second I was Deputy Stage Manager at the Lyric Theatre. Both were amazing opportunities.”
Now, just a year after graduating, Ella is already building an exciting career, currently touring the UK as a Stage Technician with Welsh National Opera.
They said: “Right now I’m on tour as a Stage Technician with the Welsh National Opera (WNO) – this is my second season with WNO.
“My team and I are responsible for taking several large-scale shows per season around the UK, carrying out get-ins and get-outs at each venue.
“We install the sets on each stage, carry out scene changes, and switch the sets over at the end of the show. It’s a lot of work and a lot of fun.”
Reflecting on their time at UWTSD, Ella credits the course with giving them both the technical skills and the confidence to thrive in such a fast-paced environment.
They said: “My course gave me such a realistic experience of a production process that I know exactly what I need to contribute and how it’ll impact everyone around me.
“I know my strengths and my weaknesses… and I’m still learning every day, which is what I love about my job.”
For Ella, the experience of studying at UWTSD has left a lasting impression – not just professionally, but personally too.
Ella concluded: “It’s a wonderful experience to be surrounded by people who want you to succeed, and know that you will. I’ve made friends for life, and built up an amazing community of wonderful creative people.”
