Francis John Stevenson, a freelance production technician, technical stage manager and lighting designer, says:

Hi

Your question doesn’t say whether you take any active participation in any of the areas where you might be exposed...

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Francis John Stevenson, a freelance production technician, technical stage manager and lighting designer, says:

Hi

Your question doesn’t say whether you take any active participation in any of the areas where you might be exposed to lighting experience ie are you a member of a local theatre or drama group?

Or do you hang out with bands? If the answer to both of those questions is no, then why do you want to go into lighting?

The money isn’t necessarily good, the hours are terrible and the working conditions can be very unpleasant!

I’m not trying to put you off, but if you want to get anywhere in the entertainment industry then you have to be very self-motivated, there are usually loads of people competing for the same work, and the job doesn’t automatically go to the best qualified.

That said, not having the right A-level is not likely to be a problem. I would suggest that a knowledge of practical science would give you a better base for starting out than an arts one.

(I should point out that I took Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Art History and English A levels–not all at the same time–and all of them have relevance to my work as a lighting designer.)

So, what to do. Firstly, if you haven’t already done so, find out where your nearest theatre is, and see if they have any youth theatre. At 15 however, you may find that the health and safety police might not allow you to undertake some of the more ‘dangerous’ aspects of stage lighting, like lifting one foot off the ground!

Look for opportunites with local amateur theatre companies and also check out whether there are any summer youth festivals you could get onto–National Youth Theatre in London, Scottish Youth Theatre (surprise, surprise!) in Scotland are two examples, although you may have left it too late for this summer. Both those organisations run courses and workshops throughout the year, there are many others.

At the age of 15 you might find that whilst you probably can get some work experience, it is very unlikely that you will actually be allowed to do very much. This gets better as you get older.

I have seen a lot of miserable bored teenagers wandering round theatres being whisked away from any possible risk just when things get interesting. Also, most of the work in a theatre is done outside of normal school hours–it’s often just the boring stuff that’s done during the day, like the eternal lamp round. Did you ever wonder who changes the hundreds of lightbulbs that a theatre uses? Answer is, the lighting technicians.

In the West End, by a historical fluke, the electricians are also responsible for plumbing, so you may find yourself unblocking a toilet or mopping up a flood (I’m not making this up!).

That said, if you are keen and motivated, then I would do all of the above, and also check out theatres in your area, local lighting hire companies, music promoters etc and approach them directly, they’ll take you much more seriously if you do than if the school sends them out a form letter.

The next step is training, if you are able to fund yourself through college, then any of the big drama schools will jump at you. There aren’t really any specific entry requirements, A-levels obviously, but a strong interest and ability to self-motivate (that word again) is much more important.

Least important of all is an in depth knowledge of lighting instruments without any practical experience, because all you’ll know then is what the manufacturers want you to know. By all means go to PLASA, or the ABTT show (in June), or any of the other industry shows but bear in mind that their function is to sell stuff.

Hope this helps, get back to me with any follow up questions, and if I’ve time I’ll try to give an answer. Good luck.

FJS

Mic Pool, director of creative technology, West Yorkshire Playhouse, and a sound and video designer says:

One of the problems that theatres are having with arranging work experience for young people is their responsibilities under the health...

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Mic Pool, director of creative technology, West Yorkshire Playhouse, and a sound and video designer says:

One of the problems that theatres are having with arranging work experience for young people is their responsibilities under the health and safety at work legislation and all the insurance implications arising from this.

It is therefore very difficult for large theatres to offer work experience to anyone under the age of 18. This is mainly because their staff are very stretched and it is difficult for them to demonstrate to insurers that they can adequately supervise young people in what is potentially quite a hazardous workplace.

The alternatives are well resourced and equipped amateur companies and youth theatres.

The National Youth Theatre would be an excellent way of gaining experience, but unfortunately you have to be 16 on the date of your interview to get in. You would be eligible for the 2009 season, have a look at their website to see if it appeals.

I would continue getting what experience you can in order that when you are 16 you can really demonstrate a real commitment and enthusiasm for technical theatre, which will ensure you will be able to take advantage of the far greater range of opportunities that will then be available.

What you can do at your age is develop all the supporting skills that will enable you to be an outstanding technician in later life.
Appreciation of painting and sculpture, and understanding play texts are skills you can develop now which will be useful for lighting design work later.

Other design and technology skills will all be useful to you and finding the means of developing these skills now, outside of a theatrical environment, means you will very quickly be able to apply them to your technical theatre work when it becomes easier for you to get direct experience in theatre in a few years time.

Finally, go and see as many shows as possible