Tag Archive: VAULT Festival Lighting

1. Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week at WL

   3 February 2020 13:49 Leave a Comment

   

   For almost a decade, WL has run an award-winning apprenticeship scheme in order to develop the next generation of industry talent. With today marking the start of National Apprenticeship Week, we’ve decided to take a look back at the scheme’s successes so far and how it has changed the lives of those who’ve taken part.  

   The WL Apprenticeship aims to nurture those embarking on a career in technical theatre. The apprenticeship is a Level 3 Creative Venue Technician course which is a combination of ‘on-site’ and ‘in-house’ training. Working alongside training provider the National College of Creative Industries, WL delivers specific training courses in order for those embarking on the apprenticeship to receive the necessary base skills and certification that is recognised and required in the industry. 

   The scheme is overseen by WL’s Health and Safety and Workforce Development Director Chris Nicholls, who comments: “The scheme has been tailored to ensure it offers everything those wanting a technical career in the industry require. Whether it’s the preparation and maintenance of AV and lighting equipment, first-hand experience of working at some of London’s most prolific venues, along with training across all departments here at WL, they will receive a wide range of opportunities and skillsets that aren’t available elsewhere”. 

   

   As part of its commitment to developing the practical skills of its apprentices, WL works closely with its industry partners to offer exclusive on-site placements. The previous cohort worked at venues such as the Roundhouse, Coliseum and Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch. Christine Piper, Head of Production at Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, comments: “For the last couple of years, we’ve worked with WL to help facilitate their apprenticeship scheme, with the timing of the work placement coinciding with the rehearsal and tech period of our annual pantomime. This gives the apprentice an excellent opportunity to work on a show from the start of rehearsals to the opening. We get an extra pair of hands and they gain some vital experience”. 

   Every WL apprentice also works on the annual VAULT Festival, where they take part in the technical installation. Andy George, Head of Production at VAULT Festival, comments: “We love working with the apprentices. It’s an opportunity for us to pass on the exciting learning opportunity that the Festival is to people who really thrive and benefit from it. The apprentices form the core of the lighting crew we work with and without their passion, energy and support, the Festival wouldn’t be what it is”. 

   Last October, WL took on its latest batch of apprentices: George Ploog, Azaldean Mohammed, Charlie Russell-Teare and Jack Bass. It also widened its offering by creating two Business Administration Apprenticeships, which were awarded to Ellie Richards and Aalya Royal. These new apprenticeships give each candidate the opportunity to work in an office-based role and develop their skills as part of the Business Support and Marketing teams.    

   Since WL’s initial intake of four apprentices in 2011, the company has overseen 57 apprenticeships; with all of those who completed the course going on to work in the industry. Many are still employed by the company in various roles, including Dan Goodwin who was part of the first ever intake. In total, 8% of the company’s current workforce is made up of previous apprentices. 

   

   The past twelve months have been particularly significant for WL’s Apprenticeship scheme. At last year’s CC Skills Awards, the company was named Apprentice Employer of the Year whereas at the Merton Best Business Awards, Dominic Devereux (of the 2017 cohort) won Apprentice of the Year. These join the company’s previous accolades of CC Skills Best Apprentice Employer in 2012 along with Best Collaboration with Education Providers in 2014. 

   The company is currently looking for its next intake of apprenticeships under the CVT framework. The deadline to apply is 23^rd February 2020, with the aim to start in April 2020. Interested applicants should visit this link. WL is particularly keen to hear from individuals currently underrepresented in the industry, such as those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and lower socio-economic backgrounds. 

   Chris concludes: “We are really proud of our apprentice scheme and the careers it has forged so far. As a company, it’s allowed us to fulfil our passion to nurture the next generation and make sure they receive the best start possible in what’s a notoriously competitive industry. Looking ahead, we are excited to meet the next cohort and continue delivering an award-winning scheme we have now become renowned for”.  

2. White Light Returns to VAULT Festival 2017

   25 January 2017 09:49 Comments Off on White Light Returns to VAULT Festival 2017

   Now in its fifth year, VAULT Festival returns to London this evening for six undiluted weeks of entertainment. Whether it is thrilling theatre, top notch comedy or exhilarating music performances, this year’s Festival is the biggest yet with literally hundreds of new shows being programmed. Following its work on previous VAULT Festivals, White Light has been called upon once again to provide the lighting equipment and technical support.

   VAULT Festival was founded in 2012 by Andy George, Tim Wilson and Mat Burt with the aim being to provide a fair and equal platform for emerging artists to showcase interesting and risky work. Andy, the Festival Co-Director and Production Manager, comments: “Theatre can often be a very safe place where little risk is taken, largely due to commercial reasons. VAULT Festival is an opportunity to programme shows and acts that would normally be overlooked. With there being very little financial risk for the artists involved, it gives them a chance for their voices to be heard and for their work to be showcased”.

   WL’s role at the Festival is to supply the lighting to the main infrastructure along with the power and rigging. The WL apprentices also work on site for the nine day build period.

   Bryan Raven, WL’s Managing Director, comments: “VAULT Festival is a fantastic celebration of up-and-coming talent that has rightfully grown over the years. It gives artists at the start of their career opportunities that simply aren’t available elsewhere. We’re delighted to be in a position where we can offer support to such an organisation”.

   VAULT Festival is located beneath Waterloo Station and has fourteen performance spaces, eight bars and even a restaurant. Such was the magnitude of this year’s programme that the Festival had to expand to the nearby Morley College along with the community theatre space Network Theatre.

   Tim Wilson, the Festival’s Co-Director, comments: “For this year’s Festival, we received the highest ever number of applications. With such an exciting range of artists wanting to showcase their work, we felt it was right to amplify our offering and provide more space”.

   

   This year’s Festival features an immersive staging of The Great Gatsby, themed parties every Friday and Saturday night along with PROXIMA V, which is a carefully selected strand of sci-fi and space experiences.

   Andy adds: “It’s amazing to think that in 2012, the Festival ran for only three weeks and we had only 9,000 visitors (compared to the 40,000 in 2016). We have grown exponentially by offering both artists and theatre-goers a platform that previously wasn’t there. We’re extremely grateful to WL for their support throughout and fulfilling our technical requirements as we have continued to grow”.

   Photos courtesy of VAULT Festival.