Head of Training: Mark Shayle

Mark is an experienced Stage and Production Manager whose career spans more than three decades across theatre, live events, and vocational training. Mark’s professional journey includes senior production roles, extensive freelance work, and training positions at Rose Bruford, LAMDA, and Mountview, where he discovered a passion for mentoring emerging practitioners. His training philosophy is firmly rooted in real‑world practice, the belief that technicians learn best by doing, and the conviction that practical experience must sit at the heart of any meaningful backstage education.

At the ABTT, Mark focuses on strengthening and evolving the organisation’s training offer, supporting tutors, and removing obstacles so members and learners can do their best work. He is committed to widening access to backstage careers, addressing the sector’s shrinking entry pipeline, and supporting mid‑career technicians as they step into management roles. Based in Lewes, he brings a blend of practical expertise, educational insight, and strategic thinking to the ABTT team.