I've been working in the Technical and Production areas of theatre and performance for over 40 years since leaving LAMDA in 1983.
I have broad experience on most types of performance and have spent considerable time in the education and training side of the industry
I am now 'retired-adjacent', but taking on various activities on a part time basis.
I have been a lighting, sound and venue designer and spent considerable time as a Production Manager.
I am perhaps best know for my AutoCAD training and books.
Lastly, I am the winner of two ABTT Awards for product design, the latest of which the Counterweight Caddy won the VIP Award in 2023
You can read my CV here
Covering AutoCAD initial set up and use, through to 3D drawing and rendering, all within a theatrical context.
The industry standard reference for AutoCAD users new and more experienced
Created for the ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform, and winner of the Idea of the Year 2023.
It has been selected for the Technical Innovation Exhibition at World Stage Design this year.
The Caddy is currently looking for a partner to bring the product to the market.
Click here for an infographic
THE ABTT CAD Standards help create uniformity and therefore understanding when using exchanging drawings.
They are programme blind, dealing with the appearance of items used in theatrical draughting
The ABTT CAD Standards are based on work by members of the European Draughting Standards Working Party for Technical Communication in Theatre, an OISTAT initiative
The current version was compiled in 2002 by myself and Steve Green
The documents that make up the Standard are below:
I presented two CAD sessions at the show, as well as helping out on the ABTT Development Hub, offering career advice to both new entrants to the industry and those with some experience wanting to take the next step.
At the ABTT Awards Ceremony, myself, Caroline Townsend and Peter Maccoy, who are all retiring from Central were given a special mention by the Association, which was completely unexpected.
Pictured Liz Sillett, ABTT CEO (left), Peter Maccoy (centre left), Caroline Townsend (centre right) and myself (right)
10th June 2025
The AutoCAD for Performance course has now been updated to reflect the latest version of AutoCAD, released in March 2025 - AutoCAD 2026.
The update also includes tools added since the last version of the course which was written for AutoCAD 2023
Now included within the main body of the course, in Part 6 is an introduction to 3D Modelling
For more information on taking the course, which is online, in 6 parts as detailed above, please either contact me using the button, or via the ABTT here
1st July 2025
The AutoCAD for Performance course was delivered for the CAD in the Creative Industries Skills Bootcamp in Hertfordshire, over two weeks in July.
Funded by the UK Government, Skills Bootcamps are free to qualifying learners.
These courses are delivered by me on behalf of The Academy of Live Technology and include career support for participants.
I'll be delivering more of these online from September, to apply, click here
Renders created by the learners are shown on the right
30th July 2025
The Counterweight Caddy was entered for the Technical Innovation Prize at World Stage Design 2025, held in Sharjah during October.
It has now been selected for the Exhibition, the full list of Finalists and winners is here
Congratulations to all who put their ideas forward.
5th August 2025
Choose your weapons - an overview of CAD programmes for use in theatre draughting appears in the Autumn 2025 edition of the ABTT's Sightline magazine.
As well as the usual suspects, it looks at some cheaper, or even free alternative draughting programmes.
Members can download it now, or for those who use the hard copy, it should be coming through your door imminently.
29th August 2025
