My name is James Appleby
I like making theatre happen

I offer services in lighting design, relighting, programming, sound design, and QLab programming.

I also offer equipment rental with an affordable access scheme for small productions.

I'm currently the lighting designer for Awkward Productions: The Fit Prince (Who Gets Switched On The Square In The Frosty Castle The Night Before (Insert Public Holiday Here)) and Recent Cutbacks: Hold On To Your Butts/Fly You Fools.

work

LEDJ Spectra Flood Q15 are now available for hire.
This compact high output fixture was a wide angle beam perfect for rich colour washes, blinders or uplighting. Weatherproof they are usable indoor or outdoors with static colour or DMX control.

@chauvet_pro Rogue R1 BeamWash and Rogue R2x Wash units are available to hire for your productions. These highly capable moving wash lights offer fantastic light output and excellent colour reproduction. With rapid movement and a highly adjustable lens angle they can serve as effect or wash lights.

Here featured in @awkwardprods Diana the Untold and Untrue Story @hopemilltheatre

A pleasure to work with @musicality.uon to provide Lighting, PA, Mixing, backend and wireless mics for their spring showcase.

Lighting features @chauvet_pro Rogue R1 BeamWash and R2x Wash, LEDJ Spectra Q15, @electronictheatrecontrols Nomad, Programming wing and fader bank.

Sound features @sennheiser EW-DX and G3 wireless microphones, @behringer wing compact and S16 stagebox, @yamaha.audio DXR 12 mkii PA, boundary mics and shotgun pickups.

I have been delighted to be able to support @mortalfoolsuk production of Brainstorm through the Affordable Access Scheme. Their Ensemble Young Company offers young people from Ashington and the Tyne Valley opportunities to develop their artistic skills and produce high quality theatre.
The production featured @electronictheatrecontrols NOMAD and Programming Wing, and 4x @chauvet_pro Rogue R1 BeamWash provided by Appleby Technical Affordable Access with pricing support from @solotech_uk_group

Photography by @vonfoxpromotions

@stagecoach_nottingham end of term shows made use of @sennheiser EW-DX SK wireless handhelds and @audiotechnica_pro PRO44 boundary mics provided by Appleby Technical with pricing support from @solotech_uk_group

The Newcastle University SLT Pub Quiz @wylam_brewery supported by Appleby Technical Affordable Access. Featuring @yamaha.audio DXR12 mkii PA, @sennheiser EW-DX Wireless Microphones and @chauvet_pro Rogue R1 BeamWash.

@awkwardprods Charity Fundraiser for @medicalaidpal . Starring @chamsysltd Stadium Connect Wing and @sennheiser EW-DX wireless microphone systems provided free of charge by Appleby Technical with pricing support from @solotech_uk_group . #lightingdesign #lighting #theatre #theatrelighting #stagelighting #equipmenthire #ataffordableaccess

How to Kill a Chicken by Gigi Tisminetzky at Edinburgh Fringe 2024. Lighting by Appleby Technical. #lightingdesign #lighting #theatre #theatrelighting #stagelighting

Ascension by Dan Hazelwood at Edinburgh Fringe. Lighting Design by Appleby Technical. #lightingdesign #lighting #theatre #theatrelighting #stagelighting #equipmenthire

UK theatre is built on small theatres and amateur venues. Without these no one in our industry would never 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.
If you are a small scale production, charity etc. get in contact and discuss what we can do for you. #lightingdesign #lighting #theatre #theatrelighting #stagelighting #equipmenthire #ataffordableaccess

Gwyneth Goes Skiing by @awkwardprods . Tour package including @chauvet_pro Rogue R1 Beamwash, @sennheiser EW-DX provided by Appleby Technical Affordable Access with pricing support from @solotech_uk_group #lightingdesign #lighting #theatre #theatrelighting #stagelighting #equipmenthire #ataffordableaccess

@awkwardprods Charity Fundraiser for @medicalaidpal . @chamsysltd Stadium Connect Wing and @sennheiser EW-DX wireless microphone systems provided free of charge by Appleby Technical with pricing support from @solotech_uk_group . Photos by @annaclarephotography . #lightingdesign #lighting #theatre #theatrelighting #stagelighting #equipmenthire #ataffordableaccess

Musicality UoN summer showcase. Featuring ETC Nomad and Sennheiser Microphones provided by Appleby Technical

Outlawed by @wearenonsuch. Lighting design by Appleby Technical. Featuring @sennheiser microphones and addressable LED strips provided by Appleby Technical

Gwyneth Goes Skiing by @awkwardprods featuring toured @chauvet_pro Rogue R1 Beamwash and R2 Wash. This Production also features @sennheiser EW-DX wireless mic systems, @behringer Wing Compact and @electronictheatrecontrols Programming Wing provided by Appleby Technical Affordable Access with pricing support from @solotech_uk_group

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@appleby_technical

My name is James Appleby I like making theatre happen

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Follow us on Instagram

My name is James Appleby
I like making theatre happen