About the Group

Background

The Group was founded in 2005 as an organisation for professional theatre technicians working in school theatres. As theatre practitioners in a teaching environment, school technicians occupy an unique and isolated situation, outside of regular theatre but with the same products, rules and problems. For this reason, the founders felt that a network of school-based theatre technicians would be mutually beneficial.

The Group is open to all professionally-employed theatre support staff working in schools, colleges or other educational establishments; primarily technicians, designers and managers, but also anyone with an active interest, such as teachers with responsibility for the technical side of productions, for example.

We have members from a wide range of independent schools, state schools and colleges around the country, allowing us to share ideas and problems specific to school theatres, as well as keeping in contact with those working in a similar situation. We are also an information resource for those teaching drama and theatre, or working with young people in other areas of theatre.

Benefits

Over the past few years, the Group has held meetings, visits, training courses and product demonstrations, as well as participating at the annual conference of the National Independent Schools’ Drama Association (NISDA). The Group has also produced a regular newsletter, and has its own internet forum. All members are part of the network, which can be accessed on-line.

In a similar way to NISDA, the Group's primary focus has become the popular biennial conference (with plans to become an annual event), which features workshops, seminars and a social evening. The Group also continues to hold informal meetings at the major trade shows, as well as offering occasional training courses and visits to member schools. Members are also encouraged to use the network to make contact with other nearby members for advice and informal local visits, as well as sharing any training opportunities or job vacancies.

We have contacts with other industry organisations, including The Stage newspaper, the National Skills Academy, the ABTT and the SMA.

Testimonials

"The big value of STSG is connections with other schools. A lot of us are in one or two person departments and having that connection to other places that can get us out of sticky situations is very worthwhile. Through STSG I know I could get hold of a technician to cover me if needed, or a spare LX desk if we had a last minute disaster. Another positive is that it seems to have given us a united voice towards suppliers, most of whom seem to be increasingly aware of what schools want and need."

"For £5 a year I am happy to know I can fire off an email to ask advice, or advertise a vacancy, both of which I have done in the last few years."

"For £5 you can get a year's easy access to a group of people in your situation and profession - and the wider world of theatre tech - who will bend over backwards to help you and give good advice; access to difficult-to-find employment opportunities; access to a useful and entertaining conference, and much more besides."

"I think the STSG does very well as a non-invasive organisation which is there for support, information and an annual conference."

"It's nice to know that in this world of ours, which is very small, that there are other people around doing the same job and having the same problems. If the need arises we have someone to talk to about these problems."

"I think STSG is a great source for networking and sharing information as well as being able to talk about technical equipment which would benefit schools. I really enjoy the meet-ups and I think the membership fee for the group is a drop in the ocean for what you get from it."

If you work in a school or similar establishment, or have some other link with education and theatre, please see the Join page. For general enquiries, further information or details of corporate support, please contact the Group Administrator via the Contacts page.  Please also take a moment to look at our sponsors on the Supporters page.