On October 16th, some students from Hip Hop Pop had an extraordinary opportunity to explore the technical heart of theatre at Harlow Playhouse, thanks to the Jack Petchey Foundation's grant via Jaz Harvey's Leader Award. This special experience offered students a deep dive into the often unseen world of technical theatre, guided by experts who brought the magic of lighting, sound, and stagecraft to life.
Behind the Curtain: A Guided Tour with Technical Manager Ben Parsley
Led by Harlow Playhouse’s Technical Manager, Ben Parsley, students were taken on a comprehensive tour of the theatre's key technical areas. The journey began in some of the most unique spaces of the venue, including the fly floor, where students saw how scenery can "fly" in and out of scenes. They also toured areas like the gel store, where various lighting filters are kept, and the tab stores and LX store, home to essential tools for creating mood and atmosphere on stage.
Moving from one technical space to another, they visited the sound bay, where they got hands-on experience with how audio is managed during live performances, and the lighting desk, the control center that brings each scene’s lighting to life. With each stop, students learned interesting behind-the-scenes facts that broadened their understanding of the complexity and creativity required in theatre production.
Hands-On Learning with Theatre Experts
The experience was as interactive as it was educational, with students engaging directly with the equipment under the guidance of Harlow Playhouse’s technical team. Working alongside Sound Engineer Paul, they learned about the intricacies of sound design, including how to balance audio for different scenes and effects. They explored lighting design with Jen and Tom, where they were introduced to the art and science of creating the perfect lighting state—playing with colour, intensity, and positioning to build moods for various scenes.
One of the highlights of the experience was operating a follow spot. This specialised spotlight follows actors across the stage, highlighting specific moments and adding emphasis. Under Ben's guidance, students gained hands-on practice, understanding the precision required to smoothly illuminate actors’ movements.
Crafting Their Own Lighting Scene: Creativity Meets Technology
The immersive experience didn’t stop at observation. Students were invited to design their own lighting state for a fictional scene, allowing them to channel their creativity while learning how to use real-world theatre equipment. They got a peak at plotting with timecode, a tool that synchronises lighting and sound cues with specific moments in a production, giving them an insight into the precision and timing required in theatre productions.
Creating a lighting state helped the students understand the relationship between design and storytelling—how changing lights’ colour, angle, movement, or intensity can transform the entire tone of a scene. This hands-on activity fostered not only technical skills but also an appreciation for the artistry that goes into each performance, helping students realise that theatre is as much about engineering as it is about creativity.
The Value of Real-World Experiences in the Arts
Thanks to the Jack Petchey Foundation’s grant via Jaz Harvey’s Leader Award, this unique opportunity opened up a world of possibilities for the students at Hip Hop Pop. Such experiences are invaluable for young people, especially those with a budding interest in performing arts. The technical theatre experience demystified many aspects of theatre production, showing students that there are numerous pathways to a career in the arts beyond performing.
By engaging directly with professionals like Ben, Paul, Jen, and Tom, students also gained insights into the diverse roles that make a theatre production successful. These moments spark curiosity, build confidence, and can inspire future careers in areas such as lighting design, sound engineering, and technical direction.
Final Thoughts: More than Just a Tour
For the students of Hip Hop Pop, the backstage tour at Harlow Playhouse was far more than an exciting field trip. It was an educational journey that showcased the critical role of technical theatre professionals, instilled appreciation for the craft, and, most importantly, showed students how they could one day become a part of the magic of theatre.
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