Introducing Kit Lane, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader of BSc (Hons) Sound, Light, and Live Event Engineering at the University of Derby. Kit’s journey began as a theatre technician and production manager before transitioning to academia in 2006. With expertise in production management, video design, lighting, and more, Kit brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the classroom. His most memorable experiences include the Year 3 Show Control events, showcasing students’ technical prowess. Looking ahead, Kit envisions a focus on sustainability in live events. Outside of work, Kit enjoys collecting musical instruments and finds inspiration at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Exciting projects on the horizon include a student-supported electronic dance music festival and shows at Derby Theatre.
Kit Lane
What is your name?
Kit Lane
What is your quest?
Help to ensure that the live events industry has the best possible people supporting it for many years to come.
What is your favourite colour?
What is your hometown?
Swadlincote
What did you do before coming to Derby?
I studied Computing Science at degree level and Music Information Technology at postgraduate. I worked as a theatre Technician, Production Manager and Video Designer mostly at Derby Playhouse (now Derby Theatre) but also as a freelancer at theatres all over the UK, the West End, Australia, and the USA.
When did you start at Derby?
September 2006
Why did you choose to work at the University of Derby?
It offered a unique course, BSc(Hons) Sound, Light, and Live Event Technology, that very much aligned with my skills, experience and interests and to which I believed I could make a positive contribution. It didn’t hurt that I already lived in Derby!
What is your current role?
Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader of BSc(Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Engineering
What programme(s) do you teach on?
BSc(Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Engineering
BA(Hons) Theatre Arts
BA(Hons) Technical Theatre and Production Design (forthcoming)
What are your areas of expertise?
Production Management. Video for Theatre and Live Events. Lighting. Rigging and Staging. Computing. Health & Safety.
What has been your most memorable experience from your time working at Derby?
The Year 3 Show Control events. Every year the students create a show from scratch that has to not only be entertaining, but also has to be completely automated. There have been many amazing moments of surprise and technical excellence, but if I had to choose just one it would be ‘Elements’ back in 2008. It was our first full year in the Markeaton Street building and it really showed what the students were capable of in our dedicated specialised space, Auditorium 3.
What do you think is the next “big thing” in your field?
We have to improve sustainability in live events. There is a lot of great work happening such as The Theatre Green Book and Vision 2025, but there is more to be done.
What’s a hobby or interest you have outside of your university work?
I have a large collection of musical instruments, some of which I can wrestle into submission and persuade to make noises that are not entirely unpleasant to listen to.
What is your favourite museum?
The Victoria and Albert Museum. I have visited numerous times but I still always find something new, fascinating and inspiring.
Is there a work-related project you’re particularly excited about?
We have some exciting events coming up. Our Year 2 students will be running an 8 hour Electronic Dance Music Festival this month. Then in May, we will have our theatre shows at Derby Theatre. I am Sound Designer for ‘Vintage Hitchcock’ which is a live ‘radio’ drama. Most of the sound effects will be produced live by the seven actors. We are going to need a LOT of microphones.