Technical blog, December
Next month will see the building work start on the new Writers’ Studio, Production Studio and Sensory Space. That means that we are starting to place orders for materials and I’m spending lots of my time picking out light fittings, paint colours, furniture and equipment. It’s amazing to think of all the little things that go into a build like this, especially when we’re creating something bespoke that will be unique to our building. Tim and I recently took a deep dive into the best soundproofing methods for our Production Studio, and I spent some time looking at interactive magic mirrors for our Sensory Space.
I’ve also made a start on the maintenance jobs. Between Mull Theatre and An Tobar we have a lot of technical equipment, and each year it needs to be tested and cleaned. So far I’ve been concentrating on the sound and data cables. It’s quite repetitive work, so I love putting on the radio or a good podcast and listening to that while I clean. Next month I’ll start work on cleaning all the lanterns, which is a much bigger job, as they have to be partly dismantled to get them properly clean.
Helping the community with anything technical is also part of my job, and this month I was delighted to be able to help out at Tobermory Primary School by lighting their Christmas Shows. It’s the third year that I have done that, and it’s now becoming something of a Christmas tradition for me. I’m starting to recognise some of the children as they move up through the school each year, and it’s lovely to see what a great job they do of presenting their shows. They’re a very talented bunch!
Technical blog, October
With just a couple of weeks until November, I’m deep in the final planning stages for our exciting winter redevelopment work! Thanks to funding from the Charlotte Aitken Trust and Wooden Spoon, we’ll be transforming An Tobar with a new Writers' Studio, Production Studio, and Sensory Space. My days are a whirlwind of contacting builders, balancing the budget, and coordinating with suppliers. Right now, I'm drafting the designs—and, as anyone with an old building knows, battling the wonky angles!
I’m especially excited about the cutting-edge equipment we’re bringing in for the Production Studio, including a new Dante system—the gold standard in audio networking. To prepare, I’m diving into Dante certification training, which is as fascinating as it is technical!
The Writers’ Studio will be a creative haven for visiting writers, complete with inspiring sea views and decor that nods to An Tobar’s history as a school and performance venue. Our Production Studio will offer soundproof recording and editing facilities, where writers can archive their work in an audio library. We’ve even commissioned an artist to create a new mural here! Finally, we’re creating a Sensory Space—a peaceful retreat for anyone feeling overstimulated and a fantastic spot for sensory-seeking kids to explore. It’ll be filled with fiber optic lights, bubble tubes, multi-textured surfaces, and plenty of cozy blankets and cushions.
I’m also gearing up for our technical maintenance period in January—a perfect time to clean, test, and repair all the lighting, sound, and AV equipment we rely on throughout the year. This includes scrubbing down the trusses and lighting bars, ensuring our venues feel fresh and ready for next year’s performances. I’ll also be doing a stock take to identify underutilized equipment, followed by a reorganization of our extensive costume and props collection. Cataloging everything will take a while, but once it’s done, it’ll be a fantastic resource for our community—and a step toward more sustainable production practices!
Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to be planning a special workshop with local primary schools in February. Andi and I will be introducing students to Torchlight Tales, where they’ll get their first hands-on experience with lighting and learn how it can shape emotion on stage. Who knows—maybe we’ll spark a passion in a new generation of theatre technicians!