With an extensive all-Robe lighting rig illuminating the largest gathering of industry peers and decision-makers, the TPi Awards offers an extraordinary opportunity for NRG students to showcase their skills. As in previous years, NRG put out a call for students interested in joining Robe’s on-site team at Evolution, London. The response was overwhelming, leading to a rigorous selection process. Seven students were chosen and invited to Robe UK for training in RoboSpot and Avolites, along with a preview of the event rig.
Ant Ioannou – who studies Event Production at Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in Nottingham – took on the role of Assistant Lighting Designer in the main room. He shared: “When the room filled with industry professionals, the pressure was on to deliver a flawless performance. Afterwards, I felt incredibly proud of myself and was grateful to Robe for giving me this opportunity. I’m looking forward to attending as a guest next year and supporting the next group of students as they step into our roles.”
Abigail Skelton, Lighting Designer for the main bar – who studies Event Production at Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in Nottingham – added: “The experience was like a dream filled with lights, cables, and so many of my industry idols. I am still in disbelief that I had such an amazing opportunity to get hands-on experience and talk to so many lovely, inspiring people. Being a part of this event has helped me feel more confident and gain so many valuable industry connections. I am so incredibly grateful to NRG and the creative team for this opportunity, and I’m thoroughly looking forward to attending as a guest next year and supporting the next NRG crew.”
James Levy, Lighting Designer for the iBOLTs outside – who studies Theatre Technology at Guildhall School of Music & Drama – said working on the TPi Awards was a highlight of his burgeoning career in the sector. Levy said: “I left not only having had a mind-opening and amazing experience, but also with the contacts of some of the biggest live events professionals in the industry. While daunting and nerve-wracking at first, I met some incredible people and learnt a lot from the process.”
RoboSpot Operators Sebastian Ollivierre and Mason Dilworth – who both study Creative Lighting Control at Rose Bruford – were among the handful of RoboSpot Operators involved in illuminating proceedings. “Working on this event opened my eyes to a whole new type of performance, since I had never worked a corporate event before. Equally, getting to work with a rig with just intelligent lights made me realise how interesting and dynamic lighting can be,” Ollivierre said.
Dilworth echoed: “It was an amazing opportunity to network with such brilliant minds and see how they got into the industry themselves, as well as hear their perspectives on how they learnt different skills from my age.”
Fellow RoboSpot Operator Harry Mooring – who studies Sound, Light & Live Event Engineering at Derby University – relished the opportunity to work at the industry’s biggest night out.
He said: “Being able to meet and talk with many lighting professionals afterwards allowed me to ask questions about the industry. Everyone was very welcoming and knowledgeable about how the industry operates,” he remarked.
The RoboSpot Operators also took charge of the lighting design upstairs in the Robe bar. Andrew Whewell – RoboSpot Operator – who studies Theatre Design & Production Technology at Leeds City College, says working with Robe and his fellow NRG students was a “tremendous” honour.
He concluded: “Everyone involved was so kind and passionate about what they did, always ready to lend a helping hand. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking to enter the industry, as the connections you make and the knowledge you acquire are invaluable. I will always be grateful to Robe for the opportunity.”
