A Backstage Production Arts student from Stratford-upon-Avon College has secured work with a top Technical Production Company.
Camron Northcott, from Banbury, a second-year student on the Level 3 Technical Theatre Extended Diploma, has secured a position with Production Hire Limited; a technical production company who specialise in providing all the technical elements for Live Events and Corporate Events.
This isn’t Camron’s first experience in the technical world. Prior to joining the college, Camron had a keen interest in the Technical Theatre Industry and was regularly volunteering for productions and performances as a lighting technician. He worked on shows for groups such as Youth of Banbury Operatic Society, Susan Taylor Dance and Julie Bruce Dance/Drama Academy to develop his skills.
During this time, he was able to shadow Joshua Lake, a Lighting Designer and Stratford-upon-Avon College alumnus. It was from interactions with alumni like Josh that led Camron to choose Stratford-upon-Avon College as a place to develop his learning: “The College has a great reputation. I had heard of it so much as a good performing arts place so knew that is where I wanted to be.”
Though he had started gaining experience already, Camron found the course allowed him to develop his knowledge across all areas of technical theatre: “I mainly had experience in lighting, but this course expanded my knowledge across an array of technical areas including Health and Safety and management.”
Last year, whilst in his first year, Camron secured a freelance position with Robe, one of the world’s leading entertainment lighting manufacturers and went to London to be part of the We Make Events campaign (#LightItInRed) where Arts venues up and down the country were lit up with red lights to show support during the pandemic for the Arts industry. After gaining experiences like these, Camron secured an interview with Production Hire Limited and got offered a position straight away. With Camron’s course coming up to being completed, the company are now looking to increase his position to full time.
Amanda Coleman, Project Manager at Production Hire Limited, has been impressed with Camron’s work. She comments: “Camron was recommended to us through a contact in our industry and came for an interview for part time work with us in the summer of 2021. He is a hard-working individual who has a good work ethic about him and has immense interest in the work that we do here – providing sound, lighting, video, staging and rigging to music festivals and live music events across the UK. During his time with us he has become a good problem solver, who soaks up knowledge. He is always willing to learn and makes the most of all opportunities presented to him to learn from experienced lighting engineers and has a high level of respect for his peers. Camron is a valued asset to our team.”
Course lecturer, Helena Lowrence, is incredibly proud of Camron’s achievements: “Camron is a joy to work with. He has taught me things about tech too! It’s great to see his progression. Here at the College, we like to give our students these two years as a foundation that they can use as a springboard for apprenticeships, university and even straight into the industry. We want to help them gain the confidence to move forward, and it is great to see them doing just that!”
We wish Camron all the best in what is set to be a great career!
