Affordable Access

UK theatre is built on small theatres and amateur venues. Without these no one in our industry would ever get their start, big breaks or get to hone their craft in spaces to experiment and learn.

However creating theatre and events is expensive, and while the tight budget, time and space considerations found in small theatre inspire great creativity it can be sad to think of all the lost opportunities prohibited by the available equipment.

As a freelance Lighting designer I have worked with many small companies in theatre, dance and music who have inspired and intricate designs and concepts they simply cannot execute due to a lack of budget and equipment. I have always tried to work with them to find alternatives and facilitate shared budgets but sadly it cannot always be done with the means available. I have always been a practical learner, so without access to other equipment it becomes very difficult to push myself and my designs. Without really understanding the equipment well enough it becomes difficult to justify the cost of hiring it in the first place (especially in the tight budgets of small events) creating a cycle of stagnation within the industry, a cycle only broken by luck or rich benefactors.

The Appleby Technical Affordable Access Program is a scheme to make industry standard and high quality equipment available to amateur and small arts companies, charities, students and educational establishments either for free or greatly reduced rates. This covers Lighting fixtures, lighting control, mixing desks, microphones, PA, amplifier, video and networking.

The scheme aims not only to help support the creative visions of small event and theatremakers but to help designers and technicians to build their skills and understanding to push their craft and hopefully careers forwards.