I had the privilege of completing a Technical Production placement at LIFT Festival 2024.
Prior to this, I worked as an Assistant Lighting Designer with Tara Theatre’s Young Company and served as a Lighting Designer for several productions at Imperial College London, where I study engineering. I applied for the LIFT placement to further develop my technical skills, gain insights into the workings of an international festival, and contribute to the meaningful projects LIFT has been doing. Being part of the LIFT team was a truly enriching experience, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and the invaluable lessons it provided.
Throughout the placement, I worked closely with Jo Palmer, the Production Manager of the festival, who was an amazing and incredibly supportive mentor. In the lead up to the festival, I had the opportunity to learn about the unique challenges each performance faced and how the teams managed these, working with various venues and touring companies to ensure rehearsals and performance ran seamlessly. I provided support with stage rigging and installations, sourced hires, set up technology for captioned performances and attended production meetings to liaise with artists about their technical requirements. I particularly enjoyed setting up the light rig for L’Animale at the Old Bailey.
Most of my role consisted of on-site work, which gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of other technicians and creatives. These experiences not only helped me develop my technical skills, but also allowed me to network with people in the industry—an inspirational and invaluable opportunity for planning my future career.
Despite the jam-packed festival schedule, I made sure to take the time to experience the incredible work LIFT showcased. I was especially captivated by the interactive and innovative aspects of Bat Night Market, the emotional intensity of Trials and Passions of Unfamous Women, and the poetic nature of ECHO. These productions truly reflected LIFT’s vision—ambitious and challenging social conventions, which resonates deeply with the type of theatre I aspire to create and the very reason I got into theatre in the first place.
Working with the LIFT team was an absolute joy. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming, and I learnt so much from the team. Jo was an incredibly supportive mentor, consistently tailoring my schedule and tasks to ensure I gained the specific exposure I was seeking. Throughout the placement, Jo provided invaluable guidance, and her support extended beyond the placement, helping me navigate the next steps in my career. I also really appreciated the post-placement career support LIFT provided.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting a variety of freelancers from different venues and connecting with the volunteering teams and the other placement students. It was inspiring to work with so many like-minded individuals who share a passion for theatre.
