#12JobsOfTheatre – Shaun Parry, Head of Lighting
Welcome to #12JobsofTheatre.
Over 12 days in December we’ll be telling you about 12 different jobs at the Lyric to give you an insight into the varied and vital jobs that contribute to the work we make.
Each of the wonderful people that are currently in those positions have shared how they got there and we hope it will be helpful to those thinking about pursuing a career in the arts.
Next up is Shaun Parry, our Head of Lighting.
In one sentence, can you explain what your job is?
As Head of Lighting It’s my job to realise a Lighting Designers vison.
What made you want to work in theatre and where did you start?
The major attraction for me was that each day is different. Every day throws you a new challenge, a new experience, a new problem to solve. I get bored easily, working in technical theatre there’s never a dull day. I started off helping out at my local Youth Theatre group, the technicians at my local theatre saw that I was eager to learn and took me under their wing. I then did my work experience placement with the Technical Team there. Impressed with my attitude and eagerness to learn they took me on as a casual crew member. During my time as a casual crew member they trained me up in all the different disciplines under the technical theatre umbrella. It’s only later on in my career that I specialised in Lighting. After a few years as a casual crew member I was lucky enough to be taken on full time. They sent me to college two days a week to train as an Electrician, they put me through the Technical Theatre apprenticeship scheme. They armed me with the knowledge and skills to allow me to progress. After learning everything I could at my local theatre I set my sights on London. I’ll leave it there for now, there’s quite a bit more to my journey to the Lyric but that would go on for pages!
What is your top recommendation for someone who wants to be a Head of Lighting
Get involved with your local youth theatre group. Offer to help out backstage on shows, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
What is your favourite production at the Lyric that you have worked on and why?
My favourite production every year is always panto. Simply because it’s the one show a year that we get to throw the rule book of lighting out the window and have some fun.