+44 (0) 333 014 2109
Chris Williams, Senior Theatre Technician, says: “We needed a technical set-up which didn’t need a full-time technician; it had to be straightforward enough for our academic tutors to be able to use easily. Opus had a ready-made, cost-effective solution: a control hub with sound, radio mic, and a general lighting desk which the technical staff could pre-programme.”
John Fulton Hall is used about 75% of the time as a student teaching space, particularly for teaching Sports Science students, and it’s also used for end of year shows, smaller productions, and by many external companies.
Chris comments: “Academic staff can just walk in and the OpusHub system is ready to go complete with a full low energy LED lighting system. We can connect a higher quality lighting desk (also provided by Stage Electrics) into the system when we have a visiting company who want to record complicated cues. You literally move two cables and then you can make it more of an all singing, all dancing set up. Overall, teachers and the students get ‘more bang for their bucks’ with more flexibility in their teaching and learning, which is obviously what university is all about.”
OpusHall gives proper hands-on control to practitioners. Fiona Smith, Principal Lecturer, says: “Opus has inspired staff and students alike. For example, if they are choreographing a piece it can open up their creativity and potential – building confidence for the future.”
There are banners around the campus saying how much the university has reinvested in its students. The university is proud of its investment in education but this investment in Opus Hall also boosts the university’s green credentials by reducing power consumption on campus.
Chris says: “I work closely with C-Change, the climate change department in the university, and I’ve been pushing for them to come down and see it. All of our spaces should be embracing LED as much as possible.”