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 I first came across the Tower Theatre while I was studying at university. Theatre, dance, live music, raving, and art exhibitions and performances have all been huge passions of mine growing up. While I was at university, I had a bit of a eureka moment: I realised I wanted to be involved in creating the worlds behind all the shows I loved experiencing. The only question was - where do I start?
I began researching ways to get involved, whether that was set building, scenic painting, set dressing or anything else behind the scenes. Before long, I found the Tower Theatre.
I've been set building at the Tower for around three years, on and off. It's somewhere I've always come back to during some big moments in my life: finishing my degree, moving house, starting my first job, realising it wasn't the right fit, and eventually finding another. That, to me, is what makes Tower so special. You can be as involved as you like, and there's never any pressure. Whether you can spare a few Sundays to help at a get-in, painting scenery or lending a hand with construction, or you decide to dive in headfirst by directing a show, designing a set or auditioning for a role, there's a place for you.
What I've loved most about being part of a volunteer-led amateur theatre is that everyone, regardless of their experience or ability, can contribute to putting on a show. I've never met anyone at Tower who didn't make me feel welcome or included. It truly is a place where there's something for everybody. It doesn't matter your age, race, gender, disability, or previous theatre knowledge—you can get involved, discover what interests you, and become surprisingly skilled at the many different jobs that go into bringing a production to life.
I have big dreams of becoming a professional show designer, and the Tower has been instrumental in helping me move towards that goal. They've trusted me with designing and building the sets for three productions—one on my own and two in collaboration with my friend Emma. When I started, I had absolutely no idea where to begin. I'd never designed or built a set before, but sometimes the best way to learn is to be thrown in at the deep end.
Since then, I've developed far more than just practical design and construction skills. I've learned how to manage projects, organise budgets, think creatively within constraints, and be resourceful when ambitious ideas meet limited time and money. I've also discovered how important communication is. Working alongside people with different levels of experience means making sure everyone feels confident in the tasks they're doing and, most importantly, stays safe. Those are skills that are just as valuable as designing itself, and they've shaped the way I approach leading creative projects—something I hope to do professionally one day.
Balancing the Tower with a full-time 9-to-5 job can be exhausting at times, but by the end of every production it's always worth it. I originally studied Fine Art, and I've always loved working on projects from the earliest mood boards right through to the finished piece. Seeing a set transform from an idea into a physical world that audiences can step into is an incredible feeling. There's nothing quite like watching people experience something you've helped create, and the Tower Theatre has given me the opportunity, confidence, and support to keep chasing that dream.
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