TECH BOOT CAMP


Backbone Youth Arts x Steven May Productions

 

A program Designed to give emerging theatre technicians the chance to elevate their skills and kickstart their career!

Backbone Youth Arts teamed up with Steven May Productions to create the ultimate tech boot camp. With technical production training being a gap in the industry that is ever-growing, Backbone was able to provide the opportunity for participants to learn from industry professionals, get hands on experience, and work full-time as a technician in one of Brisbane’s most exciting theatre festivals!

Steven May (of Steven May Productions) was our bootcamp mentor. Steven provided both group masterclasses that delved deeper into theatre production/design AND provided personalised training for our participants, ready to meet them at their skill level and boost them further.

Participants in our bootcamp were PAID TO TRAIN! Employed part-time by Backbone, technicians received 42 hours of training at $23.46 per hour (LPA award Production & Support Staff - trainee level).

Not only were our bootcamp participants paid to train, but they were also given the opportunity to work full-time at our 2024 Backbone Festival. With a weekly rate of $965.60 (LPA award Production & Support Staff Level 2), Backbone was able to give emerging technicians invaluable experience to work in a professional setting, step into advanced arenas of technical training, and build a network with Backbone’s artists in residence.

 

PROGRAM DATES: May - December 2022 ?
LOCATION: Backbone at Seven Hills Hub
NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED: 36 ?
NUMBER OF EVENTS: 
NUMBER OF PAID ARTISTS: 4

STEVEN MAY

Hi there! My name is Steven May. I’m a lighting designer and technician. I’ve worked tech roles in many types of live events, including burlesque, theatre, dance, music and corporate production.

My production company is focused on lighting design and general production design to elevate smaller shows and unconventional arts built in unconventional spaces. This can be seen with my involvement in various independent theatre shows with Polytoxic, Playlab Theatre, Digi Youth Arts and Backbone Youth Arts as well as burlesque events with Bombshell Burlesque, CULT The Show, Vanguard Burlesque and Evana De Lune. I also have provided lighting design and production to various Mx Burlesque QLD and Australia events.

I thrive in unique and challenging work environments, providing comprehensive services to add technical production to events that can be difficult without the correct expertise. Additionally, my ability to work in a multidisciplinary role with lighting, audio and AV in combination leads to more cohesive production and design decisions, as well as more interconnected implementations in practice across a wide scope of productions.

MEET THE 2024 BOOTCAMP PARTICIPANTS

CALE DENNIS

For the last three years I have been working and studying in the theatre industry, primarily as a lighting designer, stage manager and director.

I am currently in my final semester of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama) at QUT, and have also completed a minor in scenography throughout my studies. This has enabled me to develop many fundamental skills such as collaboration, communication and problem-solving in a creative theatrical context as well as having given me a strong theoretical understanding of devising and creating theatre. I have also been working in the industry throughout my study to gain practical experience and enact the skills I have learnt through my study. I have worked as a lighting designer/operator for several companies across Brisbane including PIP Theatre (The Bed Party, Toucan Club), Ad Astra (The Wolves) and Underground Theatre Company (The Violent Outburst that Drew Me to You). This has enabled me to develop fundamental creative, interpersonal and technical skills in creating aesthetically and dramaturgically successful lighting designs. I have acquired skills in programming and operating using Mantra Lite, ChamSys QuickQ, and Qlab (both lighting and sound) systems to a competent level. I have also learnt to work in a considered manner as a technical and creative production member within several different production hierarchies, which has further afforded me the ability to develop my communication and collaborative skills in a creative context.

AOIFE KISSANE

Aoife Kissane is a 21-year-old queer theatre maker emerging into Meanjin’s creative industry with fresh drive and youth insight. Her interest and experience expand across both performance and production roles, with 8 years of consistent experience working for theatre companies and independent employers. With a love for experimentation and creative innovation, Aoife is invested in creating theatre that uplifts unheard voices and ignites non-traditional spaces.

TEDDY WADDINGHAM

Teddy Waddingham (they/them) is an emerging technical production artist based in Meanjin. They have worked as a stage manager with companies including Playlab, JMC Academy, Underground Theatre Company and theatrePUNKco. As a technician, Teddy has honed their skills on productions with QUT and Gold Coast Little Theatre. In 2024, they are currently working with Underground Theatre Company as Executive Production Manager, and are incredibly passionate about channelling their passion for stage management into providing dedicated support to the flourishing and bold theatre scene in Meanjin.

GIACINTA PAISARN

I am currently studying a Bachelor of Audio Engineering at JMC, with an interest in live sound and events. I have previous experience as an AV trainee and at multiple venues assisting in operating a digital mixing desk. I have assisted with FOH mixing at venues such as The Zoo, Blackbear Lodge, Backdock Arts, Miami Marketta, and interned at Laneway Festival doing backline audio for one of the stages. I am currently working as a stagehand for Combined Labour, a company setting up productions for national and international acts.