Meet our Lighting Student: Efa Jane

Second year Lighting student Efa Jane recently spoke to Light&Sound International about studying a technical theatre course. Find out what she had to say…

Efa Jane

What attracted you to this business?

I’ve always loved theatre and concerts and events, but I’m too shy to go onstage Being backstage with the lights is for me a perfect balance of getting to be where I love and being able to create without being seen.

What do you think of the course you’re studying?

It’s demanding, but I like to think that it’s just preparing us for the real world! I like that we get thrown into shows from first year as I learn best by actually doing tasks rather than sitting down and learning it on paper. My tutors are also straight from the field so it’s very useful to have their knowledge helping me.

What work experience have you had so far?

I’ve done a few fringe shows where I looked after both lighting and sound. It was stressful at first juggling the two at the same time but once I had all my cues into my book it was quite rewarding seeing my work with the actors’ work.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far?

It’s always better to ask if you’re unsure or don’t understand. There have been times where I have set myself back because I was too scared and shy to ask what I thought was a silly question, but once I realised people around me were asking the questions I had out loud I have realised the saying is true – there is no such thing as a stupid question – and people have always been more than happy to sit down with me and explain what I don’t understand.

Who would you most like to emulate?

Mountview recently had Tim Routledge in to talk to us and I was absolutely fascinated by his type of work and I’d be very interested to go down the path he’s taken.

What would be your dream project to work on?

A fringe project that really takes off and makes it big time or, being on an international tour with a rock band has always captured my imagination

What’s the toughest thing about entering this business?

Apart from getting your foot in the door, which I think is tough for most people, I sometimes get discouraged by what is still a heavily male dominated industry and although it has got better in recent years, I get so excited when I see a female LD or programmer out doing work and I hope I will get to add to that growing pool of successful women.

What’s your experience of the industry’s attitudes towards students?

Great so far! Everyone I’ve interacted with have been more than happy to help and have been patient with explaining things to me. We’ve all had to start from somewhere.