A former Stratford-upon-Avon College student is enjoying a highly successful career in the exciting world of live entertainment.
Alex Carver, originally from Solihull, graduated from the College’s Technical Theatre course in 2012 and now splits his time between London and Birmingham. In addition to holding the position of Associate Support Manager at TAIT Technologies UK – market leaders in Stage Engineering and Automation, supplying theatres and live events alike – Alex manages his own business Arts Resource, providing project & production management and equipment hire to the live entertainment sector.
His client list is impressive. While at TAIT, Alex manages the support for many West End and international clients including Wicked’s London run and the London run and tour of Matilda and the Book of Mormon, while as a freelancer and through his business on productions including Jesus Christ Superstar (BITA) in Birmingham, The Producers International Tour (Selladoor Worldwide) in Asia and has managed multiple music festivals and concerts here in the UK.
Alex’s initial foray into the entertainment industry was both inspired by his brother, Adam Carver who is himself a producer & director, and by his experiences as a performer – he appeared on stage for over 11 years, specialising in street, break and contemporary dance – but had always gravitated towards the technical side of the industry. “Throughout my childhood – as an amateur DJ from the age of 13 -I used to purchase small lighting effects and technical paraphernalia in order to dismantle the equipment, find out how it worked, and put it back together again.”
Explaining why he was attracted to Stratford’s course, Alex commented: “I knew several Technical Theatre graduates from the College and they had only good things to say about the course. When compared to similar courses at the time, there did not seem to be another contender that was equal in terms of facilities, practitioners and connections to the industry.”
He credits the training he received at Stratford with being instrumental to his self-confidence and subsequent success in the industry: “I realised that having benefited from my College tutors’ industry insight, and the passion and inspiration shared by peers on the course, I was in a much stronger position than other young graduates when entering the industry.”
Looking to the future, Alex is looking at taking on more senior management roles, but says “I’d love to make a transition into the film industry, potentially in a more creative or technical role.”
Whatever path Alex decides to take, he is sure to continue having a highly successful career, given the skills he attributes to his time at Stratford: “Resourcefulness, creativity and determination.”
