Meet the new Theatre Operations Manager

With our new Ngā Toi – Performing Arts Centre set to open in May and become the College’s thriving cultural hub, new Theatre Operations Manager, Stuart Lloyd-Harris, is excited about the opportunities the facilities will provide for St Andrew’s students.

“The College has invested a great deal in the new Ngā Toi complex, and it’s encouraging to see the Arts being supported so well. Without artists, societies would crumble and life would be very dull. St Andrew’s has some amazingly talented teachers bringing the next generation of musicians and actors onto the stage. Having opportunities to perform and showcase their abilities in a professional theatre is such an important part of the learning process.”

Stuart took on the newly created role in late January. His primary responsibility at St Andrew’s is the oversight of Ngā Toi’s systems and procedures, technical requirements such as sound, lighting and A/V, and liaising with theatre/dance staff and external contractors. He will also oversee sound/lighting and A/V systems and procedures for significant one-off school-related events and large-scale school assemblies within the College’s other large venues.

Along with extensive experience in theatre fit-out and theatre management in New Zealand and the UK, Stuart has done contract set, lighting and A/V design for the Court Theatre and various other theatre organisations. Most recently, he was the Technical Director at the Free Theatre, as well as a theatre consultant at Skillwise Charitable Trust. He has also worked as a Technical Director and Tutor at the Centre for Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury, a Theatre Technician at NASDA, Ara Institute, as well as an Technical Manager at an independent cinema and conference venue.

As a multi-talented creative himself, Stuart brings a unique perspective to the role. He has significant experience in photography, lighting and set design, sculpture, writing, and filmmaking. Back in the UK, where he is from, Stuart worked on theatrical lighting design projects for high profile performers including Amy Winehouse and Sinead O’Connor.

Some of his projects in New Zealand include co-creating the permanent earthquake memorial ‘Song Song’, a walk-in musical instrument situated at the entrance to Ara Institute; making a film to accompany the nationwide tour of Flying Nun band, Cloudboy; and co-designing and choreographing a show for Footnote Dance Company.

Stuart hopes Ngā Toi will become a hub of artistic expression for all students at St Andrew’s.

“My goal is to have a vibrant performance space that the students are integrated into operating all elements of. A place for not only the students that want to be on the stage, but also those that may shy away from the limelight and are more interested in the creative world which exists behind the scenes."