Careers & Professional
Development Hub

Stand H14  ·  3–4 June 2026  ·  Alexandra Palace, London

Nikki Scott

CEO, Avolites Ltd

Wed 3 Jun10–11am & 5–5.45pm

Lighting · Automation · Technical Theatre · Supply Chain Careers · Community & Fringe Theatre

Co-Opted ABTT member. Career spanning DHA Lighting and TAIT Stage Technologies before becoming CEO at Avolites. Brings broad knowledge of careers across venues, touring, and the supply chain.

Gill Allen

Freelance Project Manager & Senior Academic

Wed 3 Jun10–11am & 2–3pmThu 4 Jun4–5.30pm

Stage Management · CV & Interview Prep · Training Pathways · Apprenticeships · HE & ABTT Courses · Career Progression

Background in Stage & Project Management; trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Former Senior Academic and Programme Leader in HE. Now freelance and working with the ABTT — well-placed to advise on all career stages.

Sebastian Barnes

ABTT Tutor & Theatre Apprenticeships Coach

Wed 3 Jun11am–12pm & 4–5pmThu 4 Jun11am–12pm & 3–4pm

Technical Theatre Roles · Training & Learning · Theatre Organisations · Union Roles · Apprenticeships

Over 45 years across lighting, sound, scenery, management, and training. Has spent recent years coaching and assessing Theatre Apprenticeships and developing new standards, alongside delivering ABTT training courses.

Helen Atkinson

Sound Designer

Wed 3 Jun11am–12pm

Sound Design · Production Engineering · Sound No.1/2 · Getting into Sound

Sound Designer in theatre and live events for 20+ years, progressing from technician through Head of Sound and Production Engineer to Sound Designer. Also administrator for the ASDP.

Clare Annamalai

Co-CEO, Get Into Theatre (Masterclass & TheatreCraft)

Wed 3 Jun12–1pmThu 4 Jun12–1pm

General Management · Producing · Administration · Entry-Level Applications · CVs & Cover Letters

Co-CEO of Get Into Theatre, incorporating Masterclass and TheatreCraft. Background in arts administration across commercial and subsidised companies. A key resource for anyone exploring entry-level routes and general management pathways.

Gemma Swallow

Freelance Production Manager

Wed 3 Jun12–1pm

Getting Started · Environmental Sustainability · Accessibility Backstage · Inclusivity · Technical Theatre Training

Freelance Production Manager and former Technical Director of the National Theatre of Scotland. Previously worked with Complicité, the Young Vic, and the National Theatre. A passionate advocate for sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity.

Ben Stephen

General Manager, Steeldeck Rentals

Wed 3 Jun1–2pmThu 4 Jun1–2pm

Lighting · Staging & Temporary Venues · Production Management · Fringe Theatre · Health & Safety · Apprenticeships

25+ years as a professional theatre technician and active ABTT Safety Committee member. Career spans outdoor arts, the Edinburgh Fringe, the Albany as Technical Director, and Lamp & Pencil. Now General Manager at Steeldeck Rentals.

Sarah Waterman

Apprenticeships & Work Experience Manager, Royal Ballet & Opera

Wed 3 Jun1–2pm

Apprenticeships · Early Careers · Training Routes into Theatre · CV & Application Advice

Working with the RBO since 2018, Sarah manages their Apprenticeship programme — alumni of 100+ with 24 currently active. Experienced in supporting young people into technical theatre roles through work-based training.

Jayne Gould

Work Experience & Apprenticeships, Royal Ballet & Opera

Wed 3 Jun2–3pm

Stage Management · Apprenticeships · Work Experience · Training & Education · Early Careers

Former Stage Manager and Stage Management Tutor, now guiding apprentices at the Royal Opera and Ballet. Passionate about helping people of all ages find their way into a career in theatre.

David Ripley

AutoCAD Trainer & Former Senior Lecturer, RCSSD

Wed 3 Jun2–3pmThu 4 Jun4–5.30pm

Routes into the Industry · Career Progression · CV Advice · Training Opportunities · AutoCAD

40+ years in the industry across regional rep, the West End, conference, and theatre consultancy. Most recently at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Author of AutoCAD — A Handbook for Theatre Users.

Jonathan Moss

Head of Sound & Video, Glyndebourne

Wed 3 Jun3–4pm

Career Pathways · Job Applications & Interviews · Sound & Video Design · Systems Integration · Professional Development

Head of Sound & Video at Glyndebourne, with wide experience in sound design, systems integration, and teaching — including on the ABTT Bronze and Silver courses. Available Wednesday only.

Gary Pell

Head of Stage, National Theatre

Wed 3 Jun3–4pm

Technical Theatre · Freelancing · Production Management

Almost 30 years in the industry, working both freelance and across multiple venues in a wide range of technical and production roles. Currently Head of Stage at the National Theatre and Trustee at the Rose Theatre Kingston.

Sally Garner-Gibbons

Apprenticeship Manager, Chichester Festival Theatre

Wed 3 Jun4–5pmThu 4 Jun12–1pm

Apprenticeships (All Disciplines) · Training Opportunities · Stage Management · Freelancing · CV & Interview Advice

30+ years in technical theatre. Apprenticeship Manager at Chichester Festival Theatre and Senior Lead for Creative Industries Apprenticeships at Chichester College Group. Has trained young technicians for over 20 years and worked in apprenticeships since 2013.

Rosie Stroud

Production Sound Engineer & ASDP Board Member

Wed 3 Jun5–5.45pm

Sound · West End · UK & International Touring

Theatre Sound Engineer with 12 years’ experience, progressing to Production Sound Engineer on West End, UK, and international touring shows. Also a board member of the Association for Sound Design and Production.

Anette Ollerearnshaw

Founder, ABTT WHAM Community

Thu 4 Jun10–11am

Wigs, Hair & Make-up · Costume · Sustainability in WHAM

Expert in planning, production, and delivery across world-leading arts organisations and HE providers. Author of the Wigs, Hair and Makeup sustainability principles for the Theatre Green Book. Founder of the ABTT’s WHAM community.

Caitlin Crosby

Head of Technical, The Albany

Thu 4 Jun10–11am & 11am–12pm

Early Careers · CV Support · Technical Theatre · Neurodiversity & Inclusivity · Getting into the Industry

Guildhall School of Music & Drama graduate with 20 years as a freelance multi-disciplined technician across fringe, corporate, and West End. A strong advocate for neurodiversity and inclusivity in the industry.

Vicki Morris

Theatre & Venues Lead, Creative Alliance

Thu 4 Jun1–2pm

Apprenticeships: Stage Management · Production Management · Creative Venue Technician · Scenic Art & Construction · Costume · Automation

RCSSD graduate with a career in musical theatre including Starlight Express and Saturday Night Fever. Specialising in training and apprenticeships across England since 2010; currently also an end-point assessor for awarding organisations.

Bendy Ashfield

Co-Founder, Theatre People HR

Thu 4 Jun1–2pm

Stage Management · Production Management · Freelancing · Apprenticeships · Alternative Routes into the Industry

Trained at LAMDA in Stage Management before moving into freelance production management. Set up the sector-leading ROH Apprenticeship Scheme in 2006 and co-founded Theatre People HR in 2022.

Dominic Bilkey

Head of Sound & Video, National Theatre

Thu 4 Jun2–3pm

Sound Design · Video Design · Working in a Sound & Video Department · Accessibility & Technology · Career Pathways

Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Sound Designer and Head of Sound & Video at the National Theatre. Co-creator of Atlas Show Control; specialises in spatialised object-based audio. Actively involved in teaching sound at several UK universities.

Emma Wilson MBE

Director of Technical, Production & Costume, Royal Ballet & Opera

Thu 4 Jun2–3pm

Leadership & Management · Health & Safety · Sustainability · Lighting · Touring

Previously Director of Technical at Sadler’s Wells. PhD in environmental politics; committed to sustainability in theatre production. Awarded an MBE for services to the performing arts in the 2024 New Year Honours.

Nick Young-Wolfe

Founder, MUTI Live

Thu 4 Jun3–3.45pm

Freelancing · Training & Education · Apprenticeships · Alternative Routes into the Industry

20+ years in theatre and live arts. Founded MUTI Live to deliver practical, industry-rooted training. His own non-linear career path informs a passion for accessible professional development and alternative routes in.

Paul O’Leary

Production & Theatre Adviser, Nederlander Theatres; Executive Producer, Michael Codron Plays Ltd

Thu 4 Jun4–5.30pm

Producing · Directing · Technical Theatre · Early Careers · Career Progression

Co-Chair of Skillscene, Trustee of Masterclass, and member of SOLT. Sits on SOLT’s Ticketing and ABTT Safety Committees. Former resident Production Manager at Stratford East (1989–1992) before going freelance.

If you want to be be put in touch with an Industry Professional in a specific section of the Industry, please contact admin@abtt.org.uk with some information about you, the areas you are interested in, your experience (if any) and we will find the right fit for you!

Are you an Industry Specialist? Do you want to be involved in our Careers and Professional Development Hub? Get in touch:  office@abtt.org.uk