Phil Speck

Phil Speck

Department of Drama and Theatre Arts
Technical Tutor & Lighting Designer

Contact details

Address
The Old Library (SOVAC)
998 Bristol Road
Selly Oak
Birmingham
B29 6LG

As a technical & lighting theatre specialist, I advise, teach, assess and support students and staff across all Drama programs. I design all performance lighting in our theatre and am also responsible for ensuring the smooth running of all technical aspects, equipment and infrastructure of our performance spaces.

Qualifications

  • BA(Hons) Theatre Design & Technology, Bretton Hall 2000-2003

Biography

I joined the department in 2014 having worked extensively in teaching and supporting students and staff at all levels of education, from GCSE and BTEC through to undergraduate and post-graduate, as well as in technical theatre and freelance lighting design since graduating in 2003.

As a lighting designer, I’ve lit a variety of professional performances from small to mid-scale, including devised and set text, to school/college musicals and immersive performance. Most recently lighting Rocket Fuel and The Stolen Year at MAC, with Little Earthquake.

As a technical theatre specialist, I’ve experienced working to operate, light, produce, receive and support a variety of events such as: student performances, conferencing, exhibitions, award ceremonies, outdoor events, theatre, jazz, orchestral, BBC Young Musician, Children in Need, Doctor Who, Edinburgh Fringe, National Students Drama Festival and high-profile events in the opening of the new buildings at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and lighting the concert hall for their Royal celebration event.

Whilst here at the University, I have also been part of the Parent & Carers Network committee, working specifically to improve engagement and membership. I have very recently been invited to work with the Operations Group of the Technical Academy (aiming for similar) to engage with technicians beyond STEM, hoping to improve the network and development opportunities for creative technicians across the University in areas such as: Film, Media, Drama, Music and the Bramall.

Teaching

BA Drama and Theatre Arts: 

  • Theatre Crafts 1: Production Allocation
  • Theatre Crafts 1: Production Arts
  • Theatre Crafts 2
  • Theatre Crafts 3

BA Drama and English / Film / Creative Writing:

  • Production Skills (upcoming 2025)

BA Cultural and Creative Industries:

  •  Creative Realisation: Crafting Outputs (upcoming 2025)