Offering a wealth of hands on experience and the first steps into a technical career in the arts, applications are open again for Lighthouse Young Technicians, a nationally recognised training course for young people aged 13-19 eager to get to grips with lighting, sound and stage management in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings.
“Since its launch in 2018, the Young Technicians course has proven to be a valuable, real world route into a career in technical theatre,” says Charles Shenton, Lighthouse Creative Engagement Producer.
Guided by industry specialists in a structured 12-week course, the budding technicians navigate all elements of technical theatre to gain the experience they need to pursue a future career, working alongside all technical departments in the build up to opening night of Sleeping Beauty, this year’s in-house produced family pantomime.
“As a young person making your way in theatre, it is very important to do what is right for you,” says course tutor James Smith, Technical Director of Sleeping Beauty.
“There is no right way to start a career in technical theatre – for some the answer is university, for others it could be an apprenticeship, or a job at their local theatre where they can build their skills. All roads will end in the same place where the aim should be to produce good quality collaborative entertainment.”
The course costs £150, although bursaries are available, and thanks to generous funding awarded by the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Lighthouse is now in the position to offer more bursary spaces than ever before.
“Cost should never be a barrier to accessing the arts and there are very few courses like this available in this country,” adds James. “The students get lots of hands-on experience and, crucially, it’s real world training in a working multi-venue arts facility working on shows and events indoors and outdoors.”
James has some 20 years of professional experience lighting musical theatre, plays, pantomimes, live music and events all over the world. His enthusiasm for teaching Young Technicians is clear, as is his rapport with the group, and in designing the course, he was clearly guided by the kind of course he wishes had been available when he was starting out – it’s practical, hands-on and it matters because the students are working on real shows in real time.
“I have been in the industry from the age of 14. I was born with a lack of hearing and really struggled with my speech. My mother decided the best thing for me was to attend a weekend drama school to help develop my confidence.
“I soon realised that being in front of the curtain was not for me but all the buttons on a lighting desk were!”
And his advice for the theatre technicians of tomorrow…?
“Take any opportunity you are offered and seek as much experience as you can. Nine times out of ten it’s about being in the right place at the right time with the right people.”
Applications are open now until Friday 11 October. To find out more email learning@lighthousepoole.co.uk.