30 April 2013
With the 2nd year Wits students are Stan Knight (back far right) and from DWR, Gareth Chambers and Dave Whitehouse.
For the first time in his career, South African theatre legend and lighting designer, Stan Knight, is lecturing at Wits University. He recently visited DWR Distribution, along with his 2nd year students, to give them exposure on lighting gear available. We asked Stan to answer a few questions.
What do you enjoy most about interacting with the students?
It’s been interesting to see the new students armed with only ipads! But they are not drawing plans on them yet.
How do you perceived the state of education of young people entering the realm of the performing arts?
I do not think the education system caters for the arts, and so they arrive without the background. I am teaching them to read plans.
What was the purpose of your visit to DWR?
To introduce the students to the latest equipment (the lighting at Wits is antiquated! – it falls under the Archives files on the net) and the possibility of careers in lighting. The students enjoyed the talk by Dave Whitehouse from DWR, finding it very informative. I also learned a few things!
Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to mention?
Do not have any lighting designs in the next few months, but am designing sets for Honk! and Freckled Faced Strawberry, both at the National Children’s Theatre – and helping them on the design of their hopefully new theatre. I have also just lit Don Quixote at the Civic.
