Alumni profile
Course studied: BA (Hons) Theatre and Digital Production
Graduating year: 2014
I'm a freelance Scenic Carpenter, Lighting Designer and Production Manager with a diverse portfolio ranging from touring opera and musical theatre to New Writing and site specific productions.
My work includes scenic carpentry at the National Theatre, technical stage management for Gecko's The Wedding Creation Tour, and Production Management for ZOO Venues (Edinburgh).
Recent Lighting Design credits include The Pretend Men’s Police Cops in Space, OVO’s Much Ado About Nothing at the Minack Theatre, Cornwall, and Mesh Theatre’s Journey’s End at the Kruitmagazijn, Ypres. I am a member of BECTU and the Association of Stage Pyrotechnicians.
"Theatre and Digital Production at Bath Spa is a course that can match any drama school for the standard of facilities, training and the contacts you're able to make, without the pretentiousness that comes with drama schools."
Why did you choose to study Theatre at Bath Spa?
The course stood out as being particularly strong, vs the other institutions I looked at, and the teaching staff came across really well on the open day. I also really liked the campus at Newton Park, and turned down a place at LAMDA in favour of BSU.
What are the highlights of your career so far?
Scenic carpentry at the National, TSMing for Gecko, and working on the centenary production of Journey's End, in Ypres, in the only building that survived WWI were all pretty special.
How did the course support your steps into industry?
A lot of the contacts I made and work I did in my first year after graduating were made through Uni. Darren Joyce (of WNO and The National), got me my first large scale touring job at ETO, and then subsequent work at the National, and a huge amount of work has come my way via my time at ZOO venues, which was arranged through TP. The course gave us a working knowledge of all elements of technical theatre, which has meant that even though I predominantly work in only a couple of specific job roles, I have an understanding of all the work being undertaken by my teammates on a production, and what they need in order to serve the show as a whole.
"I am most proud of..."
The long standing relationships I have built over the last five years, with directors, producers, venues, and many other creatives.
"My advice for current students..."
Your people skills are as important as your technical skillset. You can be the best technician in the world, but if people don't enjoy working with you, they're only going to hire you once.
Also, don't drink beesting at The Royal Oak. It's a trap.