24 January 2012
Jubilation was followed by regret as it was announced that DWR Distribution would have their very first staff vacancy in Durban but that none of the current Johannesburg team would be candidates for the position. How disappointing….after all those dreams of surfing during lunch break!
As it turned out, Duncan Riley had his eyes on a much better option, Nick Barnes! Nick, a young 24 year old, fell in love with the lighting industry when he was 15 years old. He contributes his passion and success to the amazing KwaZulu Natal people he has met in the industry along the way.
Nick grew up in Richards Bay and attended boarding school at Durban High School (DHS). Very soon he became involved with schools plays and events, first ushering guests to their seats and then in grade 10, taking over as lighting technician along with LD Thomas Peters, also a lad at the time.
“That is where I met Brandon Bunyan from Black Coffee,” recalls Nick. “Brandon came in and taught us and I’m very grateful to him. He set met off on these stepping stones.”
With a variety of productions held at the school, Nick had opportunity to meet Ron Selby and Romi Schumann from Production Projects, and soon realized this is what he wanted to do with his life. In fact, when Nick was 16 years old, Ron Selby mistakenly thought he was in matric and offered him a job. “What are you doing next year,” Ron had asked. “Going to grade 11,” replied Nick.
From 2006 to 2008, Nick studied Entertainment Technology at the Durban University of Technology, and often helped out at Black Coffee during this time. In his final year he got involved with Gearhouse Durban and proceeded to join the company as Junior Lighting Technician and Lighting Workshop Manager. He was only 20 years old at the time.
“I got behind Jason Fritz who was then at Gearhouse, and he and Simon Hampton mentored me, “ Nick fondly remembers. “I obviously learned all I could about lighting, rigging and power. Offer Lapid was really good to me as was Stuart Andrews, who was the branch manager at the time.”
Nick then took a sales position at Electronic SA Durban Branch where he stayed for close to two years.
It is a great pleasure for DWR Distribution to welcome Nick to our team. We couldn’t have chosen a more suitable person to look after our clients in KwaZulu Natal. We hope that yours will be a long and happy stay!
