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Graduate Sarah is ABTT’s Technician of the Year!

18 June 2020

Filed Under:

Alumni
Production and Design
Stage Management

Huge congratulations to Stage Management and Technical Theatre graduate Sarah Hemsley-Cole on becoming only the second woman to win the Association of British Theatre’s Technical Award, making her the Technician of the Year 2020!

Recognising the achievement of an individual at the height of their career, this award is one of the association’s most important accolades. Sarah was particularly recognised for her broad-ranging achievements, and her championing of the next generation of stage managers.

Stereophonics at Cardiff Blues Stadium

Sarah has continued her relationship with us here at RWCMD and now teaches on the course, and takes student placements in her company, SC Productions.

 

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Thanks industry friends for the @theabtt nomination – big smiles in these tricky times.

A post shared by SC Productions Ltd (@sc_productions_ltd) on

‘This is a lovely accolade to win, particularly as it is based on the testimonies of industry colleagues,’ said Sarah. ‘I am privileged to have many of varied opportunities in my career, and have always championed the next generation throughout my work and teaching
I pride myself on being a woman in this industry so to be only the second woman to win this is amazing.’

The jury of working practitioners and industry peers celebrated Sarah as an inspirational role model and a positive female influence on the whole events industry, as well as for her brilliant technical imagination.

Ed Sheeran at Cardiff Principality Stadium

Sarah set up her own production company SC Productions, 25 years ago, specializing in site, production and artist liaison management,  working on running everything from Ed Sheeran and Stereophonics gigs to the Eisteddfod.

Memorable projects include production managing the site-specific production of National Theatre Wales’ The Passion, in Port Talbot with over 1000 community volunteers, and more recently working with Ysbyty Calon y Ddraig/Dragon’s Heart Hospital to get 300 beds ready in less than 10 days, with a further 1,700 beds during the following two weeks.

Ar waith ar Daith, Wales Millennium Centre’s 10th anniversary celebrations, Cardiff Bay

Director Adele Thomas sums up why Sarah won this award:

‘It’s the fact that she does (it all) with huge dedication and understanding of the creative vision and with overflowing love for communities and companies. This has not changed since I first worked with her. She deserves this award because she is somehow both Production Manager and artist.”

Find out more about Sarah’s company SC Productions 

And about our Stage Management and Technical Theatre course. 

 

The featured image shows Cardiff’s City of The Unexpected event.