A BACKSTAGE wiz returned to Stratford College to offer top tips for getting backstage in the entertainment industry.
Former technical theatre student Ken Johnson now travels the country as a backstage rigger working big names like Pink and on theatre productions such as The Commitments and The Ladykillers.
Ken, who is originally from Redditch, said: “I like to think that the ceiling of a performance venue is my office. It’s my responsibility to install anything that needs to be suspended from the ceiling – from lights and speakers to performers and props.
“The best thing is problem solving. I love coming up with ideas, using a limited set of equipment, to realise the vision of a show’s director and designer.”
His top tips to students included the importance of networking.
He added: “It’s so important to show your face and let people know that you are professional and ready to work. There are lots of jobs going in the industry and hopefully I’ll see them working at shows in the next few years.”
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