"I’d like to get into doing fireworks and laser displays on skyscrapers"

Hometown
Originally Scunthorpe and now Manchester

What do you do?
Assistant lighting and sound technician, Manchester City Council

How long have you been at it?
Five years

What was your very first role in theatre
Front of house

What else have you done in the theatre?
* Front of house, Palace Theatre
* Backstage, Palace Theatre
* Lighting and sound technician, Library Theatre, Manchester
* Casual technician, Royal Exchange
* Casual technician, Opera House

Have you got qualifications?
* BTEC engineering in theatre
* HND lighting and sound in theatre

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Lighting technician

What do you do all day?
I rig and focus lights, plot the lighting board and operate it for the show

What’s the best thing about your job?
* Sitting back and looking at what I have produced
* Lie-ins – when I’m working on a show I normally work evenings!

And the worst?
Long hours, loss of girlfriends who can’t stand me working evenings, no social life

What’s your dream job in theatre?
It’s not really in theatre but I’d like to get into doing fireworks and laser displays on skyscrapers

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Have patience and get to know who works where and their names. Most of all, be reliable as if you’re not, nobody will call you again.

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