SLX supports GSA spring season
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The Production Arts Centre (PATS) is set to host Hamlet, An Image of an Unknown Woman and Red Velvet in March and will be supported by professional lighting designers Jo Town and John Rainsforth. The events are available digitally by booking at https://gsauk.org/events.
The Bellairs Theatre, located in the Ivy Arts Centre at GSA on the University of Surrey campus, is also due to have a busy spring schedule with a production of Titanic the Musical with final year BA Musical Theatre students, Babe the Sheep Pig performed by students undertaking full-time two-year post-graduate acting or musical theatre courses and Richard III, performed by final year students on GSA’s BA Actor-Musician programme. The Bellairs Theatre will be supported by professional lighting designers Seb Blaber, Andrew Bruce and Alex Musgrave.
Ruari Cormack, business development manager at SLX, says: “SLX has long been a champion of new talent in the live events and entertainment industry. This spring we’re delighted to be working alongside Guildford School of Acting whose final year students have produced exceptional productions that will launch them into their careers. As well as producing highly skilled actors, GSA also trains the future theatre technicians, lighting designers and production crew. We’re pleased to be providing an opportunity for them to work with some of the best technical equipment and we can’t wait to see the work they produce this year.”
Professor Sean McNamara, head of Guildford School of Acting, adds: “We’ve worked with SLX in the past and are delighted to have their support for our on stage/ on screen spring season. It’s important our students build their experience, whether on stage or in production, and working alongside professionals already working in the industry is helpful. Because we’re filming the season’s productions rather than performing in front of live audiences, we need better quality lights for the cameras, so we greatly appreciate SLX’s help.”
John Rainsforth, freelance lighting designer, says: “It’s no secret that 2020 was a terrible year for freelancers working in theatre. GSA finding ways to continue to put on a spring season so full of exciting productions and opportunities for performance is frankly brilliant. Not only will it continue to give these young people the best chance at developing their trade – it will also give myself and the other paid professional lighting designers an opportunity to reengage with the job we love doing.
“Throughout my career going right back to being a warehouse manager for SLX 10 years ago to where I am now, SLX has always been there, whether supporting productions I have been involved with or supporting myself as a designer. I’m so proud they are still there to support so many others bringing new generations into the industry we love.”
