Job Summary
We’re looking for a dedicated, reliable and hands‑on lighting assistant to support the technical and creative delivery of our bold new production. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with a professional lighting designer and production team on a dynamic and immersive site‑specific show.
Job Description
For Summer 2026, we’re transforming The Vache estate into a world of magic and transformation with The Tempest, Shakespeare’s swansong masterpiece (c.1610), reimagined through the lens of Baroque music and contemporary sound design. Expect a rich fusion of spoken drama, lute songs, instrumental storm music and immersive soundscapes as we bring The Tempest to life.
Alongside our headline production, the festival also includes a late‑night Jazz Night (28 August), Water Music (4 September) and Splash! a family‑friendly theatrical adaptation featuring extracts of Shakespeare (morning of 6 September).
We’re looking for a dedicated, reliable and hands‑on lighting assistant to support the technical and creative delivery of the Summer Festival. You’ll help realise an ambitious lighting design, contribute to the rigging and operation of equipment, and help run the space technically across rehearsals and performances. You will operate the lighting board for performances of The Tempest, and have responsibility for designing and programming our Jazz Evening and Water Music concerts. This is a freelance role ideal for an emerging practitioner looking to gain experience in live performance, site‑specific work and festival production.
Fee: Up to £1100 (based on approximately 80 hours at £13.50 per hour, including evening and weekend work. Unpaid lunch breaks apply.)
Contract Type: Freelance / Independent Contractor
Location: The Vache, Vache Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire HP8 4SD
Working Days Required:
21, 22, 23, 24, 25 August – Rigging, rehearsals
27 August – Dress Rehearsal
28 August – Jazz Evening
29, 30 August – The Tempest performances
4 September – Water Music concert
5, 6, 7 September – The Tempest performances and pack down
Hours: between 4–10 hours per day, including evenings and weekends.
Job Requirements
* Enthusiastic, punctual and eager to learn
* Good eye for detail and a strong interest in lighting design
* Practical, solutions‑focused and confident with hands‑on tasks
* Calm under pressure and happy to work in a fast‑paced live environment
* Comfortable working outdoors and on your feet for extended periods
* A strong communicator and team player
* Prior experience with lighting and technical theatre
* Interest in inclusive arts and VB’s creative mission
* Ability to read music (nice to have, but not required)
Job Responsibilities
* Assisting with rigging and installing lighting equipment across site
* Supporting the Lighting Designer with creative realisation and technical setup
* Operating the lighting board during rehearsals and performances
* Programming ETC EOS consoles for Jazz & Water Music
* Maintaining lighting equipment and ensuring safe cabling and practice
* Collaborating with the production team to deliver a technically smooth show
* Responding to technical issues and contributing to creative problem‑solving
* Supporting general production setup and derig as required
* Communicating via radio/walkie‑talkie while on site
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