Gaining Professional Backstage Experience During University Studies
For aspiring theatre professionals, understanding the gap between academic theory and the fast-paced reality of a live production is crucial. Costume students must learn to navigate the high-pressure environment of a working stage, where timing, precision, and adaptability are tested under the scrutiny of a live audience. Bridging this gap requires more than classroom instruction; it demands hands-on, professional integration. Arts University Plymouth actively facilitates this transition by embedding real-world industry placements directly into the student experience. By partnering with prominent regional venues, the university ensures that its students do not just learn about costume production—they actively practice it in professional settings before graduation.
Securing paid professional work while completing a degree provides a significant advantage. It allows students to apply technical skills learned in the studio to the logistical challenges of a running show. Furthermore, working alongside established industry professionals helps students build a reliable network, which is often the most critical factor in securing long-term employment in the UK theatre sector. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how degree programs integrate professional practice into their curricula.
Working Behind the Scenes on Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes
Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures company is renowned globally for its imaginative choreography and visually stunning productions. When the acclaimed production of The Red Shoes launched its 2025/26 UK tour, it chose Theatre Royal Plymouth as its opening venue. This choice carried historical weight, as the production originally held its world premiere at this exact location in 2016 before going on to win the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment. For local costume students, the return of such a high-profile production represented a rare opportunity to work on a large-scale, critically celebrated touring show.
Two Arts University Plymouth students, final-year student Izzy Cooke and first-year student Casper O’Toole-Bateman, were selected to join the backstage wardrobe team. Their involvement was not observational; they were hired as paid members of the crew, tasked with keeping the complex costume elements performance-ready throughout the run. Working on a production of this caliber requires strict adherence to established protocols and the ability to execute tasks quickly and quietly in the narrow wings of a major receiving theatre.
The Role of a Wig Dresser in Professional Theatre
In major theatrical productions, hair and wigs are managed by a specialized department that operates with rigorous precision. Izzy Cooke stepped into the role of a wig dresser, a position that demands a detailed understanding of hair styling, lace maintenance, and timing. Her responsibilities extended far beyond simply handing wigs to performers. She was tasked with pre-setting wigs, make-up, and accessories prior to the curtain rising and during the intervals.
The technical aspects of the role involved cleaning wig lace, preparing backstage areas for efficient transitions, and assisting with quick changes. A critical skill Izzy developed was learning how to read, use, and amend a backstage track. This working document dictates exactly what a dresser must do, where they must be, and when they must execute each task during the performance. Mastering the backstage track is essential, as a missed cue in a quick change can disrupt the flow of the show. Izzy noted that by the end of the two-week placement, following the track had become automatic, illustrating the steep learning curve that professional backstage work demands.
The mentorship Izzy received proved invaluable. Learning directly from experienced professionals like Dee Howland, who took the time to explain the intricacies of setting a wig, provided insights that cannot be replicated in a standard classroom environment. Explore our related articles for further reading on the specifics of wig and makeup artistry in stage productions.
Managing Quick Changes and Costume Plots
For Casper O’Toole-Bateman, the placement provided an immediate immersion into the world of costume dressing. Assigned to work from a costume plot, Casper was responsible for preparing garments, supporting the performers, and executing quick changes. He described the costume plot as being similar to “Lego instructions”—a highly detailed, sequential map that guides the dresser through the complex logistics of the show.
The physical and mental demands of the role were significant. Casper was part of a line-up of seven dressers, with some assigned to specific characters and others tasked with running across the backstage area to manage multiple quick changes simultaneously. The pace was intense, requiring absolute focus and the ability to remain calm when performers required immediate assistance. This type of real-time problem solving is a core competency for any successful costume professional, and experiencing it firsthand during the first year of university provides a robust foundation for future studies.
Balancing Academic Work and Professional Theatre Commitments in the UK
One of the most challenging aspects of entering the performing arts industry is learning how to manage professional opportunities alongside academic or personal obligations. Casper’s experience highlights the maturity required to navigate these decisions. During his placement on The Red Shoes, he was balancing daytime university classes with evening and nighttime shifts at Theatre Royal Plymouth.
As the production prepared to move on to Manchester and London, Casper was offered the opportunity to continue on tour. However, he made the deliberate decision to decline the tour and return to his studies. Recognizing the importance of his foundational coursework, he exercised the restraint necessary to prioritize his long-term academic goals over short-term professional gain. This level of professional maturity is highly valued in the UK theatre industry, where reliability and clear communication are considered just as important as technical skill.
Beyond the technical skills, Casper’s most profound takeaways were emotional and interpersonal. The daily routine of visiting dressing rooms, checking in with actors, and witnessing the preparation of a younger performer making her debut in the role of Irina reinforced the human element of theatre work. Understanding the emotional stakes for performers helps costume staff provide better, more supportive backstage service.
Building a Career Pathway from Student to Industry Professional
The primary objective of undertaking professional placements during a degree is to establish a clear career pathway. For Izzy Cooke, the two weeks spent on The Red Shoes acted as a direct catalyst for immediate and future employment. The connections made and the work ethic demonstrated during this run led directly to an invitation to return to Theatre Royal Plymouth as a costume dresser for the demanding pantomime season.
Experiencing both wig dressing and costume dressing while still an undergraduate allowed Izzy to develop a versatile skill set. This versatility quickly translated into further opportunities, including collaborations with the Welsh National Opera and a summer position working on the production of Moulin Rouge. Furthermore, her consistent performance resulted in official, ongoing employment as a dresser at Theatre Royal Plymouth. For a student still completing their final year, this level of professional integration is exceptional and demonstrates the effectiveness of the university’s industry connections.
Izzy’s long-term ambition is to move into costume production and design for film. Her strategy of “trying everything”—from dressing to cutting to designing—reflects a comprehensive approach to career building. By understanding the mechanics of how costumes function in a live setting, she is better equipped to design garments that are not only aesthetically compelling but also practical for the performers who must wear them. Submit your application today to start building your own foundational skills in costume production.
The Curriculum Behind the Success: BA (Hons) Costume Production
The ability of these students to step into a major production and perform reliably is a direct result of the rigorous training provided by the BA (Hons) Costume Production degree at Arts University Plymouth. The curriculum is specifically designed to cover the full spectrum of costume creation and management for stage, screen, and live-action events.
Students engage deeply with practical techniques that are immediately applicable to the industry. The coursework includes advanced pattern cutting, traditional tailoring, corsetry, the creation of costume props, and specialized textile techniques like print and dyeing. This technical foundation ensures that when students enter a professional environment, they already possess the manual dexterity and material knowledge required to handle delicate or complex garments.
Equally important is the access to dedicated Workshop Labs and specialist technician support. These facilities allow students to work with industrial equipment and professional-grade materials, bridging the gap between student projects and professional manufacturing standards. The curriculum does not treat these skills in isolation; it integrates them into projects that mimic the collaborative nature of the theatre industry, where designers, makers, and stage managers must communicate effectively to bring a creative vision to life.
Why Location Matters for Performing Arts Degrees
The success of this placement model is heavily dependent on location. Arts University Plymouth benefits enormously from its proximity to Theatre Royal Plymouth, which is the largest and most attended producing theatre in the UK outside of London. This geographic advantage allows the university to foster a close, ongoing relationship with the venue.
For prospective students evaluating performing arts programs in the UK, the local arts ecosystem should be a primary consideration. A university situated in a city with a vibrant, active theatre scene provides ongoing opportunities for live projects, freelance work, and networking that are simply unavailable in areas without a strong cultural infrastructure. The fact that Arts University Plymouth was ranked 1st in the South West for Facilities and Student Support at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2026 further underscores the quality of the environment available to students.
Being embedded in a city that hosts major touring productions like Matthew Bourne’s means that students are constantly exposed to the standard of work required at the highest levels of the industry. This proximity normalizes professional excellence, making the transition from student to working professional feel like a natural progression rather than an insurmountable leap. Have questions? Write to us! if you want to discuss how location impacts your studies in the performing arts.
Take the Next Step in Your Costume Production Career
The experiences of Izzy Cooke and Casper O’Toole-Bateman illustrate a highly effective model for arts education. By combining rigorous technical training in pattern cutting, tailoring, and textile manipulation with guaranteed professional placements at major regional venues, Arts University Plymouth prepares its costume students for the realities of the modern theatre industry. Students do not graduate with only a theoretical understanding of their craft; they leave with proven track records, professional references, and a clear understanding of backstage logistics.
For aspiring costume professionals, the path to a successful career requires more than just a passion for fashion or design. It requires the practical skills to construct garments, the organizational skills to manage quick changes, and the interpersonal skills to work collaboratively under pressure. Programs that prioritize these competencies provide a clear advantage in a highly competitive field. Share your experiences in the comments below! and connect with others who are navigating the exciting and demanding world of costume production.
