A former Backstage Production Arts student from Stratford-upon-Avon College recently returned to inspire the next generation of technical talent.
Rhiannon Woodhams studied at the College from 2015 to 2017 and has gone on to work in Costume departments for a range of top companies. She returned to college to speak with first- and second-year Backstage Production Arts students to show them what life could be like after their course.
Following a fantastic time at college, Rhiannon took some time to consider what her next steps should be in the form of a gap year. But that one year turned to two, and not content with staying in part time, temporary jobs, Rhiannon realised she wanted to train further in Backstage Production Arts.
She chose to do this at Bath Spa University on the Theatre, Festivals and Event Production degree which allowed her to learn about a whole host of technical areas including Lighting, Sound, Stage Management and Design.
Throughout her course, she specialised more in sound and costume areas and was delighted to work with a range of industry professionals on a wide variety of hands-on projects. During her final production at university, her lecturer suggested there was a Costume Trainee job being advertised for a TV show. She applied and got offered the job, her final production finishing on a Saturday, and work starting on the Monday.
She then went on to work on a range of top projects including Beaker Girls, Before We Die, Down Coventry Road and Rivals as a Costume Trainee. She also got the chance to work for Bristol Hippodrome on many productions including pantomimes, Joseph & the amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat, Jersey Boys, Waitress and the Greatest Showman.
A particularly full circle moment came when she returned to Stratford-upon-Avon in 2025 to be a Grade 2 Wardrobe Technician for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s sell out production of Macbeth.
Rhiannon gave the students insight into life working on a range of different projects, how to manage the juggle of work and life and key things to remember along the way.
Rhiannon led a presentation of her journey and had a Q&A with the students afterwards
Flint Waters, first year Backstage Production Arts student, found the session extremely inspiring: “It was incredibly motivational. You have to be passionate to be in this industry and seeing someone work in it and still hold passion as the priority is wonderful.”
Rhiannon was pleased to share her experience with the students: “It is so important to give back! I had talks from industry professionals when I studied here so it is nice for me to return and do the same thing. I am keen to help and show these students a route and job roles in the industry they may not have considered.”
Her advice to students: “It’s ok not to know what you want to do and it is ok to change your mind too. Things always work out, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time!”
Rhiannon is excited to continue growing her career and has some amazing projects coming up, we can’t wait to see what she does next!
