Bridging the gap between theory and practice, Lighthouse Young Producers have been working on live events including NT Connections and Poole Pride, this summer’s flagship event.
The ten-week placement offers two talented individuals the opportunity to experience what it takes to put on events at one of the UK’s biggest arts centres.
Tiger Deffee, a first year Performing Arts student at Bournemouth & Poole College who lives in the rural Dorset village of Cranborne, is joined by Kady Nankivel, from Rapid City, South Dakota.
“It’s real middle-of-nowhere America,” they explain, “the stereotypical town where everyone knows everyone. As an undergrad I had the opportunity to study in London for a semester which is where I met Rebecca Pride who’s my course leader now at AUB where I’m studying a Masters in Historical Costume Design.”
Both wanted to find out more about producing in a multi-venue arts space.
“I really enjoyed that aspect of our film and television project at college,” says Tiger. “As an actress it’s good to be more conscious about what goes on behind the scenes and learn about what it takes to put on an event – being more aware of other people’s roles in a production has to be a good thing.”
After studying in New York City, the course is also part of Kady’s mission to seek out new places, meet new people and have new experiences.
“I’ve been a theatre person all my life and I’ve done just about all the jobs there are to do, but producing gets me out of my wheelhouse and puts a new challenge in front of me. Plus, I have a dream to one day open my own theatre so I guess I should know about producing – I’ve never made a budget in my life.
“I moved here in January to start my course at AUB and found out about Young Producers when AUB reposted the Instagram call out from Lighthouse for applicants. I wasn’t sure what to expect but once I’d interviewed, I was so hoping I got in; I love it here!”
Both have worked on NT Connections, the National Theatre’s annual young theatre festival in which 126 local young people performed five new plays in three days at Lighthouse.
“I got so into it that I stayed and watched one of the performances because I’d met the kids, liked them and wanted to see it through,” says Kady.
“We’re also doing something on Pig Heart Boy, and I designed one of the three posters we made up for the Beacon Garden at the BBC Gardener’s World Live Spring Fair at Beaulieu. I’m really glad I’ll be around for panto this year – everyone tells me how weird it is!”
But for now, their focus is on making the most of a unique opportunity to learn in a live situation.
“Poole Pride is a lot of work, but very rewarding,” says Tiger. “I’m not always sure what I’ll be doing next, but when I’m asked to do something, I go away and do it.
“That’s pretty much what being a producer is, I think!”
:: To find out more about education and training opportunities at Lighthouse visit Lighthouse Academy – Lighthouse.
:: Pictured above: Kady Nankivel (left) and Tiger Deffee. Photo by Jayne Jackson Photography.
(NC)