As the latest intake of Lighthouse Young Technicians complete their training, all have gained a broad-based insight into the workings of technical theatre. And with the creative industries facing a significant skills shortage, their experience could well prove to be invaluable.
For at least one graduate the course has opened a window on a new aspect of the industry they hadn’t previously considered – theatrical make up.
“I enjoyed the makeup course the most – it’s like 3-D drawing, but on your arm,” says Ana Williams.
“I’d like to do more with the theatre and even do the Young Techs course again next year. I want to learn more about make up for theatre and hopefully get some work experience… but first I need to find out how much makeup artists get paid!”
Ana has also set her sights on costume and worked with Suzy Andrews, wardrobe supervisor on Sleeping Beauty, as part of the course making costume overalls for the pantomime’s painting and decorating slosh scene.
“I created a costume that Todd Carty wore, that was fun. Some of the paint was so thick it would have taken a long time to dry so I suggested rolling it around to make it thinner so it would dry quicker.
“I spoke to Suzy about her work, and with a friend I made two costume dresses out of some charity shop t-shirts and skirts.
“We saw panto three times and I met Todd Carty and Chris Jarvis after one performance. They were really easy to chat to. I told Todd Carty he looked like Pierce Brosnan, which he liked.”
Ana is no stranger to performance herself, having sung at the Royal Albert Hall and in the Concert Hall at Lighthouse with the choir from Canford Heath’s TEACH schools, as well as appearing in dance shows at the Regent Centre in Christchurch, Pavilion Dance South West, and Canford School’s Layard Theatre. But the Young Technicians course revealed even more about what it takes to create the best environment for a performance.
“Every session we learned something new – theatre make up, ropes and knots, lighting desk, sound desk, camera controller desk. I think actors are really good at their job because they have to be serious, funny, sad, angry, but they need everything else so that it all comes together.”
Ana, who uses a wheelchair and sometimes has difficulty standing, lives with HADDS-EBF3, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that meant she didn’t speak out loud until she was nearly three years old and first learned to communicate through sign language. She attended dance classes before she could walk.
Not that she considers any of this a barrier and neither did James Smith who leads the Young Technicians course.
“James was very helpful in describing how accessible everything is to a wheelchair user,” says Ana.
“For instance, the lighting trusses can be lowered down to low access level to rig the lighting.”
And if there’s one piece of advice Ana would give anyone who is thinking of applying to join Young Technicians, what would it be?
“Do it! The price is good and it’s a great opportunity to get experience and learn new skills to find which area you enjoy the most.”
:: If you’re aged 13-19 and would like to find out more about Young Technicians, please email learning@lighthousepoole.co.uk.
:: Find Ana on YouTube at @misspinky_
(NC)
