Hi everybody! 
I have been invited to speak on Lighting Design Education in the UK at USITT in a few weeks time. 
My basic pitch will be that generally eschew anything which might indicate there is a right way to do design in favour of giving the students the tools to express their own talent through light in performance - or something like that.
I will also talk about the fact that even our most successful students expect to spend some time as (underpaid) assistants etc, or as lighting crew. That many aspire to technical support roles such as production LX and programmer rather than LD, and that we all generally value the technical side of our students development at least as much as their artistic development.
Clearly there are contrasts to be highlighted too: The difference between the dedicated three year BA courses and the "carousel" model and the contrast between learning in a drama school and in a university for example. 
I would also like to give some idea of where the rising generation of LDs trained - being for the most part the first generation that have been formally trained. I know for example that Matt Eagland and Neil Austin both trained at Guildhall, David Howe trained at CSSD and that Hugh trained at LAMDA - do you have any award winning alumni? 
 
Do you have strong opinions on the benefits for students of observing good professionals practice vs. lighting shows themselves?
 
In the middle of a busy term as I am sure you all are, I wondered if some of you could write me a few lines saying what is special about your course / courses - especially if you deliver anything at post graduate level (Ian?)
 
Thanks for your time in advance - I want to make as good a case as possible for what we do here in the UK so thoughts (or images) very welcome!
 
Best wishes
Nick Moran
 
 
Nick Moran
Senior Lecturer in Lighting for Live Performance
Pathway Leader Design for Performance
BA Theatre Practice Course Team
Central School of Speech & Drama
Eton Avenue
London NW3 3HY
 
Central School of Speech & Drama is part of the
University of London
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