The event
In February this year, The QEII Centre hosted a group of 13–17-year-olds from ICON Theatre, a Medway-based theatre and participatory arts charity, for a special incubator programme. The event was designed to introduce theatre students to the backstage operations of an events venue and provide real world experience of managing AV equipment.
The venue
The event took place at The QEII Centre’s impressive ground floor Churchill space. With capacity for 700 people theatre style, and with a permanent stage, moving lights and an LED star cloth, over the years The Churchill has played host to world leaders, heads of industry and some of the greatest minds of our age, as well as featuring in the film ‘The Theory of Everything’ starring Eddie Redmayne.
Arrival
Upon arrival, the students were greeted with a video wall of past performances and enjoyed snacks of popcorn and soft drinks provided by QEII Taste, the venue’s award-winning catering team. Following this, the group were taken on a tour of the venue, where they learnt about its history and discovered what a typical day looks like from an AV technician’s perspective.
The Mountbatten suite, an adaptable space perfect for conferences, award ceremonies, dinners, and receptions, was dressed for an evening awards ceremony. The students enjoyed the incredible views from this room over the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the Shard and Westminster Abbey.
Day in the life
Back in the Churchill suite, the students began an immersive session designed to introduce them to the world of an AV Technician, led by QEII Live’s very own Technical Supervisor Roman Turney and assisted by AV Technicians David Blackburne and Jordan Bryan. The room was presented in full show mode, with music, lighting and projection, and once divided into three groups, the students were taken through the basics of video, projection, lighting and sound. They also began operating the video mixing consoles, broadcast cameras, digital sound desk and lighting controls.
Award-winning
Before the day finished, the participants had the chance to put their skills into practice by running a mock awards sequence. Lights, sound and projection all came alive, and each participant had the opportunity to use every piece of equipment, while they worked together to run an award sequence to music with lighting.
Lunch was a pizza and a pancake station, and at the end of the day the participants received a goody bag to take home.
Over the course of an action-packed and absorbing day, the students had the chance to meet with AV Technicians and learn about the job first hand, experience the excitement of working in a major London events venue, and acquire a whole host of new skills including the basics of lighting a stage; programming a lighting desk, operating a broadcast camera, framing a shot, mixing multiple video sources, setting up microphones, and much more.
Testimonials
“This experience was truly remarkable and eye opening, I learnt many new skills from such helpful and compassionate people in a world I hadn’t thought much about before. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity”
Incubator participant, aged 13
“The team were really kind and helpful and keen to let us have a go with all the kit, it was awesome”
Incubator participant, aged 17
“We were really looked after by everyone at QEII Centre, and the QEII Live team were really supportive of our participants, generous with their time and capacity to share knowledge and inspire the next generation, thank you for a brilliant day!”
Sarah, Icon Theatre, Incubator project manager
