Bringing Live Events Skills to Prison:

A Summer of Learning and Creativity

Over the summer, we had the privilege of bringing our two-day training course into HMP Hollesley Bay in Suffolk and HMP Isis in Woolwich, in partnership with the Association of British Theatre Technicians.  Across lighting, sound, manual handling, and a first introduction to what working in live events really looked like, the men threw themselves into learning with courage and creativity.  Each course culminated in a shared achievement: a short sketch they designed and delivered themselves, complete with lighting cues and sound effects.  We also welcomed speakers with lived experience - including our Ambassador, Michael Balogun - who inspired the group by showing what can be achieved beyond the prison gates.

So far, around 30 men have completed the course, and with the brilliant support of our partners at No Going Back and the in-prison teams, many are already preparing for real interview opportunities on release.  The feedback and engagement has been extraordinary, with participants sharing how they’d never imagined a future in theatre or even knew crewing existed until now.

^{17 December 2025}