Anne Minors Performance Consultants Qualify with Distinction from University of Warwick - ET Now UK
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Anne Minors Performance Consultants Qualify with Distinction from University of Warwick
Anne Minors and Mike Elliott of Anne Minors Performance Consultants have recently achieved Masters degrees in
Theatre Consultancy from the University of Warwick, earning a Distinction and Merit respectively.
The unique MA in Theatre Consultancy course was established by the University of Warwick to bestow a recognised
accreditation to the discipline of theatre design and provide a professional qualification for those already working within
theatre consultancy.
“Working alongside others in the building industry it became evident that qualifications existed in other spheres but not in
the areas of Theatre Design and Consultancy,” explains Minors. “We have a vocational subject yet no means of studying it
and, while it may be that only a certain amount can be learnt through theory, providing a course for existing theatre
consultants gives the opportunity to move everyone’s skills up to the next level.”
The MA course consists of two years of part-time study including three one-week residential courses offering a
comprehensive programme of lectures delivered by luminaries in the industry. The diverse range of topics covered include
power consumption, structural engineering, mechanical loading, rigging, sound and acoustics, lighting, architecture,
licensing law and theatre history.
It also addresses the ‘soft’ skills that theatre consultants need including the process of liaison between the client, funding
bodies, architects, local authorities and construction teams and the psychological and social understanding of design
possibilities.
“We were both keen to take the course for several reasons,” explains Minors. “As ex-chairman of the Society of Theatre
Consultants, I felt it important that there was some accreditation within the industry for theatre consultants and to enable
specialists to gain a wider understanding of as many aspects of the role as possible. Michael Holden, current chairman of
the STC, successfully negotiated the founding of the course with Margaret Shewring and Ronnie Mulryne of the Theatre
Studies department at Warwick University.
“The course succeeded in uniting the myriad different aspects involved, allowed us to share knowledge in a noncompetitive environment through discussions with our peers, increased awareness and, as a result, improved
understanding, communication and working practices.
“It also brought together people who came into consultancy from different backgrounds enabling us to share the expertise
from other areas.
“I would recommend the course to anyone working in theatre consultancy as it gives you the opportunity to pause, reflect
and study the subject in more detail, qualities which are all too rare in the activity of everyday working life. I felt it honed our
analytical skills and stretched us – and has benefited the company in producing two well-rounded, more broadly
knowledgeable consultants!”
The numbers attending the course have increased since its initial intake two years ago. Minors and Elliott were two of
only six students in its first year, which has now swollen to fifteen by its third year. Numbers are set to increase as
awareness of the course and its good reputation grow on an international scale. Anne and Mike are already planning to
present a workshop to new students in 2013.
In picture: Anne Minors and Mike Elliott
18th December 2012
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