The Royal Ballet School
Production and Theatre Technician, November 2024 – June 2026. Two seasons of productions, platforms and public events across a dual-campus London venue.
The Royal Ballet School trains classical dancers across two London campuses: White Lodge in Richmond and the Upper School in Covent Garden. I was the School's Production and Theatre Technician from November 2024 to June 2026 — the in-house production lead for its theatre and studio events, working alongside the wardrobe department, pianists, ballet teachers and students to get each show on.
The year had a rhythm. The Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme ran from the Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer performances at White Lodge each December, through the Ursula Moreton platform in March, to the Frederick Ashton platform at the Upper School in May. Around it sat the public season — the Next Generation Festival in the Linbury Theatre and the Summer Performances at Opera Holland Park and the Royal Opera House main stage — and the in-house occasions that hold the School together: Solos Evening, the Lynn Seymour Award, Chair's Circle, Primary Steps and Graduation.
There were around ten productions and events a year, with rehearsal and performance groups of up to 250 students across Years 7–13. I built the schedules, stage managed and called the shows, worked to agreed budgets and prepared costings for approval, and coordinated safe working practice including evening and weekend show cover.
What the role covered
Two seasons- 01
Production schedulingBuilt the schedule for rehearsal, performance and changeover across shared spaces, holding the needs of multiple productions in balance.
- 02
Stage management and show callingStage managed rehearsals, assessments and public performances across both campuses, and called the shows.
- 03
Budgets and costingsWorked within agreed event budgets and prepared costings for approval, booking rehearsal space, equipment and additional resources.
- 04
Visiting companiesCollated and assessed visiting artists' technical and staging requirements — riders, stage plans and equipment needs — and advanced them to stage and technical colleagues.
- 05
Lighting and video captureDesigned and ran lighting for the in-house choreographic platforms and workshops, and replaced the venue's webcams with PTZ cameras running through OBS Studio.
On the floor
Selected work- 01
Ursula Moreton, 2025 and 2026In 2025 I ran the pre-show stage-lighting workshop with the Years 7–9 choreographers before eleven new works went up at White Lodge. In 2026 the student stage crew stage-managed and ran the lighting under my guidance, with eight works on themes of community, nature and technology.
- 02
Frederick Ashton, 2026Fifteen second-year choreographers worked with me on their lighting design and with the Wardrobe Supervisor on costume design, presenting in the Linden Studio Theatre at the Upper School.
- 03
The Summer Performances, 2025The season ran across three venues: an eighteen-piece mixed bill at the Next Generation Festival in the Linbury Theatre, five open-air performances at Opera Holland Park, and the Royal Opera House main stage on 12 July, closing with the Grand Défilé and all 212 students.
- 04
PTZ and OBSI replaced the venue's webcams with PTZ cameras operated through OBS Studio — now used by all ballet staff to record lessons, rehearsals and assessments.
The season
20 productions & events- 21 Nov 2024
The Lynn Seymour Award for Expressive Dance
Linden Studio Theatre, Upper School
Upper School second-year students performed uncoached solos before supporters and staff, judged by Dame Monica Mason and Kevin O'Hare.
- Dec 2024
Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer
White Lodge
Ten Year 10 and 11 students presented choreography they had made themselves to supporters, staff and a judging panel.
- 30 Jan 2025
Chair's Circle
The Royal Ballet School
The student-curated Grand Jeté programme of classical excerpts, music and poetry, opening the School's 2025 supporter season.
- 19–20 Mar 2025
Solos Evening
Linden Theatre, Upper School
First, second and Pre-professional Year students performed classical solo variations for donors, staff and parents.
- 27 Mar 2025
Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer
White Lodge
Years 7–9 presented eleven original works; I ran the pre-show stage-lighting workshop with the students.
- 7–8 May 2025
Frederick Ashton Emerging Choreographer
Linden Studio Theatre, Upper School
Sixteen second-year choreographers presented original pieces in the final event of the Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme.
- 14 May 2025
Buckingham Palace Garden Party
Buckingham Palace
Eight Year 10 students performed excerpts from Napoli at the King and Queen's garden party for the Education and Skills sector.
- 24 May 2025
Primary Steps: twenty-year graduation
Upper School, Covent Garden
The final graduation of the School's national Primary Steps programme, after twenty years.
- 24–25 Jun 2025
Next Generation Festival
Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House
The summer season opened with an eighteen-piece mixed bill in the RBO's festival of junior companies and dance schools.
- 2–5 Jul 2025
Summer Performances at Opera Holland Park
Opera Holland Park
Five open-air performances of classical repertoire and new choreography, including Napoli and Swingle Stepping.
- 12 Jul 2025
Summer Performance, Royal Opera House
Main stage, Royal Opera House
Aurora's Wedding, Les Patineurs, Garden Suite and the Grand Défilé with all 212 students.
- 15 Jul 2025
Graduation 2025
Linden Studio Theatre, Upper School
The Pre-professional Year's graduation ceremony, following their final performance at the Royal Opera House.
- 13 Nov 2025
The Lynn Seymour Award for Expressive Dance
Linden Studio Theatre, Upper School
Twenty-nine second-year students performed uncoached solos, judged by alumna Lauren Cuthbertson and Kevin O'Hare.
- Dec 2025
Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer
White Lodge
Ten Year 10 and 11 students presented original choreography, mentored through the School's choreographic programme.
- 21 Jan 2026
Chair's Circle
The Royal Ballet School
The centenary edition of the annual supporters' performance, opening the 2026 season.
- 26 Jan 2026
Echo Eternal
The Royal Ballet School
The School hosted the annual Holocaust remembrance performance with National Youth Music Theatre, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and CORE Education Trust.
- 8, 15 & 22 Mar 2026
Centenary Insight Days
White Lodge and Upper School
Three public days on the School's history with speakers, performances and panels, curated by Dr Anna Meadmore.
- 19–20 Mar 2026
Solos Evening
Linden Theatre, Upper School
First, second and Pre-professional Year students performed classical solo variations for donors, staff and parents.
- 24–27 Mar 2026
Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer
White Lodge
Eight Years 7–9 choreographers presented works on community, nature and technology; the student stage crew ran lighting under my guidance.
- 6–7 May 2026
Frederick Ashton Emerging Choreographer
Linden Studio Theatre, Upper School
Fifteen second-year choreographers worked with me on lighting design and with the Wardrobe Supervisor on costume.
Every entry links to The Royal Ballet School's own report of the event.
Also from the School
In print- 27 Mar 2025
World Theatre Day: a conversation with the School
Interview
The School interviewed me about my route into theatre, the role, and what production asks of a team.
- 8 Apr 2025
Summer Performance preview: Les Patineurs
Royal Opera House
Preview of Vanessa Palmer staging Ashton's Les Patineurs for the 2025 Summer Performances.
- 28 May 2025
Summer Performance preview: Swingle Stepping
Opera Holland Park
Preview of Morgann Runacre-Temple re-staging Swingle Stepping for the 2025 season.
- 6 Nov 2025
Centenary campaign launch
The Royal Ballet School
The School's 100-year campaign announced: the centenary calendar, insight days, an exhibition at the Royal Opera House and a special Summer Performance season.