Laura Jukes (MA Collaborative Theatre Production & Design)

Biography

Specialist Area: Production Management

What's been your highlight during your time at Guildhall?

Seeing everything come together for our first project, Remnant. Being both Production Manager and a Lighting Designer was tough but worth it. I enjoyed working on the lighting design for Remnant with my course mate Paola Sanchez, and being mentored by Professional Lighting Designer Tim Lutkin. 

What's been your highlight in the industry?

Spending three years working on shows at University College London. I learned so much and had such a great time working in many venues in Camden, from the Etcetera Theatre to the Bloomsbury Theatre. We didn’t have the best budgets or proper tools but we always created something we were proud of. I learnt everything I know from the technicians I met along the way

What other passions and projects have you enjoyed exploring during your time at Guildhall?

Within the projects we have created as a cohort, I worked on other areas I had not explored before, such as marketing and puppetry! It was great fun to organise workshops for children too. 

What's something you've learned that you feel will help you when you graduate?

The power of listening, trusting in the process and collaboration. Through my research, I was able to speak to many theatre professionals about their work and witness how resilient theatre has been during the pandemic. I feel these contacts will be vital in helping me jump-start my career.   

What are you most interested in working in after you graduate?

Anything in a theatre – like everybody else, I am so ready for them to open. I would really love to start learning what it is to be a Production Management on professional shows. I am not sure exactly sure what my next year will look like yet, but I am ready and eager to get started.