White Light delivers ETC and ChamSys solution for Hull youth organisation’s new theatre space
Hull, UK – The Warren, Hull’s leading youth organisation, has invested in a new ETC and ChamSys lighting system supplied by White Light (WL), helping transform a newly refurbished theatre space into a professional creative environment where young people can develop skills, build confidence and explore careers in the arts.
Located in the heart of Hull, The Warren supports young people aged 16 to 25 through a wide range of services, including employability programmes, mental health support, digital skills training and creative opportunities. Through its creative arm, Forged, the organisation provides access to music, theatre, dance and visual arts, ensuring young people can engage with creativity regardless of their background or circumstances.
The new lighting installation forms part of a wider redevelopment of The Warren’s building, funded through the Better Youth Spaces Fund. The refurbishment transformed previously unused areas into dedicated creative spaces, including a dance studio and a black box theatre designed to support performances, workshops and training opportunities.
For Elle Douglas, Creative Manager at The Warren, investing in professional lighting was about more than simply outfitting a venue. It was about creating a space where young people can imagine themselves belonging in the creative industries.
“A lot of the young people we work with are working class and marginalised, and creative careers just aren’t on their radar,” explains Douglas. “It was really important that when we were developing a theatre and dance space, it looked like a theatre and dance space. Having access to industry-standard technology helps young people feel comfortable in those environments and gives them experience of the kind of equipment they’ll encounter throughout their careers.”
Originally included within the organisation’s redevelopment plans, the theatre’s sound and lighting infrastructure was removed from scope after rising project costs placed the refurbishment over budget. However, support from the Better Spaces Fund enabled The Warren to revisit its ambitions and secure the equipment needed to complete the venue.
To deliver the project, The Warren turned to White Light. WL’s Business Development Manager, Paul Botham, comments: “I’ve worked closely with The Warren from the earliest planning stages, visiting the venue and assessing how the space would be used. With the theatre designed around flexible, modular staging and multi-purpose programming, it was important that the solution was adaptable, easy to operate and capable of supporting a wide range of performances and events. The result is a versatile lighting system that will grow with the organisation and help create valuable opportunities for young people to develop their creative and technical skills.”
“Paul was great,” says Douglas. “He came to the space while we were preparing our funding application, listened to what we needed and looked at how the venue would work. The space is an unusual shape and we wanted a system that could be moved and adapted. The equipment he recommended does exactly that.”
The ETC and ChamSys lighting system is already helping young people gain hands-on experience with professional production technology. Recently, The Warren hosted a musical theatre showcase, marking the first use of the new system. For many of the performers, it was their first experience of performing under stage lighting and using professional audio equipment.
“It’s about removing barriers,” Douglas adds. “Young people don’t have to go to a professional theatre to access this equipment. It’s here in a space they already know and use. Having those lights and that environment elevates the experience and encourages them to see what’s possible.”
Alongside supporting performers, the installation is also creating pathways into technical theatre. White Light provided training for The Warren’s team, who are now planning workshops to introduce young people to lighting control and backstage production skills.
The impact of the investment is already extending beyond the organisation’s daily programme. The Warren has recently been approached as a potential venue partner for a national drama festival planned for Easter 2027, which would include technical theatre workshops for young people. According to Douglas, the organisation would not have been considered without its dedicated theatre space and professional lighting infrastructure.
“The lighting has already opened doors,” she says. “We’re excited about young people building confidence in these spaces, discovering new skills and potentially finding careers they never knew existed. Hopefully they’ll come back one day and say, ‘I’m a lighting technician because I had the chance to try it here first.'”
Through its partnership with White Light, The Warren has created more than a performance venue. It has established a professional creative environment where young people can experiment, learn and connect with opportunities that might otherwise feel beyond reach, helping to build a stronger and more inclusive future for the creative industries.
Photo courtesy of The Warren
Product Featured: ETC ColorSource Spot Jr, ETC ColorSource PAR Jr, Chamsys QuickQ20
About The Warren
The Warren is a youth support organisation based in Hull, providing free services and opportunities for young people aged 16-25. Through programmes spanning employability, digital skills, mental health support and creative development, The Warren empowers young people to build confidence, develop new skills and shape their futures. Its creative programme, Forged, offers access to music, theatre, dance, visual arts and live performance opportunities.