THE ALD’S IAN SAUNDERS

The Executive Director of the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) outlines the historic organisation’s plan for the decade ahead…

Formed back in 1961 from the hive of lighting activity in London’s West End for the pioneering lumineers to share ideas, information and opinions, The Association of Lighting Designers has been a staple of the theatre landscape for a number of years.

However, with the everincreasing number of LDs moving from theatre to the live touring sector, the ALD’s Ian Saunders spoke to TPi about the importance of expanding its reach – as well as pushing for diversity within the inner workings of the organisation.

Having joined in 2003 as Treasurer, Saunders has witnessed the development of the organisation in the midst of an ever-changing landscape. “In the early days of the ALD, we had two different member categorisations; Professional and Country. Unless you had worked on a number of West End shows, you would not attain Professional status.”

Saunders explained that this out-of-date segmentation was very much based on the old model, where a theatre chief electrician would also be lighting a show – something that over the years had become much more of a freelance role. “More and more theatres were buying in lighting services,” he stated.

“Not only that, technology improved in such a way that LDs began leading teams due to lighting’s complex nature and the requirement for manpower to get jobs done.” The net result of these changes meant the ALD has expanded the reach of its Professional category to encompass all of those working within the field.

“When I first joined, there was very much a practice where if you went to theatre school, you ended up in theatre, whereas if you worked at a rental company, you ended up on tour. This is no longer the case,” commented Saunders. “I always look to ALD members like Bruno Poet, who came through theatre and is now known just as much for his work in concert touring.”

To draw on this side of the market, the ALD has been involved in the Knight of Illumination Awards and is continually looking for more people to join the board from the world of live touring. Along with focus on the live touring industry, the organisation has focussed on diversity within its ranks in recent years.

“We’re proud to currently have a board that is two-thirds female with an executive board that is far more diverse than in previous years,” he stated, citing notable example, the association’s first female Chair.

“Johanna Town became Chair back in 2018 having been an official rep for a number of years, which has brought a very different dynamic to the board,” enthused Saunders. “She has several years’ experience within the fields and is very interested in helping the next generation of operators.”

Saunders went on to explain what the ALD can offer those entering the entertainment industry. “The way I always describe it to people at trade shows is to imagine the ALD as the hub of a bicycle wheel and the rest of the industry as the tyre. What we are trying to do is create as many spokes from ourselves to the industry to showcase the breadth of jobs and scale of lighting. Essentially, we want to share as much information as possible.”

The Executive Director added that this included expanding the social demographic of lighting designers from the white middle-classes majority. “For a long time, we have partnered with Stage Sight – an organisation set up by one of our members, Prema Mehta. Essentially, they raise awareness of the need to achieve a more balanced off-stage workforce.”

Before leaving Saunders, TPi discussed an incentive which has brought the ALD to many people’s attention: Save Stage Lighting. Created to counteract the Ecodesign regulations brought in by the EU that would have a serious impact on the world of live events. “It was just when Johanna had taken over as Chair when the news came through that lead to the creation of Save Stage Lighting,” Saunders stated. “It certainly raised the ALD’s profile, picking up an extra 70 members in 2018. We ended up getting 84,000 signatures, to raise awareness that the legislation did not take into account the world of live events – not just those who work in the field, but also those who enjoy going to events.”

With a revitalised membership and a goal to increase in reach of the ALD, it seems like an exciting time as the organisation at it moves into its seventh decade.

TPi

Photos: ALD

www.ald.org.uk

www.stagesight.org