Ammonite Sessions: The Role of the Lighting Associate
In April 2025, we hosted our third installation of Ammonite Sessions talks at RADA, a day of industry insights exploring the role of the lighting associate and their relationship with the lighting designer. This day was aimed at students and early-career professionals.
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Overview
The panels - The Role of the Lighting Associate and Collaboration: Exploring the Lighting Designer and Associate Relationship explored the role and responsibilities of the associate across in-house and touring commercial theatre, closely examining the training and experience necessary to excel in the job.
The topics of the day included;
- Who pays for the Associate?
- Are my drawing skills good enough?
- Do I get to design bits of the show?
- Do Producers understand the role?
- Who does what when there’s more than one Associate?
- Do I deputise for the LD?
- Do I have to be great at programming too?
- Do I do all the re-lights on tour?
- What’s the extent of my responsibility as an Associate?
- Can I work on more than one show at a time?
- How long can I expect to be employed?
- What does the experience really give me?
- Should I just work as a Touring LX or Deputy Chief instead?
- Is it the next step up from an Assistant LX?
- How long can I expect to be employed as an Associate on a show?
- What skills is the LD looking for me to have?
Speakers
The two panels featured the following lighting designers and associates:
The Role of the Lighting Associate speakers -
- Rob Casey
- Adam King
- Max Narula
- Jamie Platt
Collaboration: Exploring the Lighting Designer and Associate Relationship speakers -
- Rory Beaton
- Paule Constable OBE
- Tim Lutkin
- Rob Casey
- Adam King
- Zoe Spurr
Networking
After the afternoon session, Ammonite hosted a Drinks and Networking event at the nearby Marlborough Pub. This was a great opportunity to further chat with the guests and panellists from the day, meet fellow lighting students and professionals and ask questions from the Ammonite Team and members of the ALPD Committee.
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We would love to hear from you!
Whether you have any questions or want to make suggestions for future topics, as we plan and prepare for Ammonite Sessions 2026, please do send your ideas to us by email at info@ammonite.ltd to have your say.
Written by Grace McCaffrey