FINLAY RYAN-SMITH | Event Technician

Dorset Based sound & Lighting Engineer

Splitz Studio’s Wonderland 2026

In February 2026, I worked as technical lead and lighting designer for Wareham-based Splitz Studio’s production of Wonderland.

Key responsibilities
Client discussions from initial enquiry to final delivery. Designing a package of LX to enhance an existing in-house venue rig. Pre-visualisation of LX package for position/beam/colour/fx palettes to ensure a speedy load-in and setup, ensuring plotting can begin asap after arrival at venue. Designing theatrical lighting states for dance and working with show directors to achieve their vision, translating their ideas into cues and offering my own ideas of how to light the show. Programming a Chamsys MagicQ desk for standard theatrical playback. Programming and setup of dual-redundant QLab system for audio and video playback. Use of the Allen & Heath GLD family of desks. Creating a mic plot from rough show notes.

Verwood Hub

Since late 2022 I have worked as an ad-hoc technician and engineer for the Verwood Hub as part of my work with BH, who are the technical supplier for the venue. Over the years I have worked on a number of gigs at this venue alongside taking on a more administrative role in arranging additional equipment for shows alongside slowly making the space a more rider and artist friendly venue for visiting companies, including upgrading the front of house control desks for both lighting and sound, adding to the venue’s lighting rig, and building a technical spec for the venue (for a number of years it went without one.)

Key responsibilities
Liasing with both event management and artist management as to technical requirements for shows, building picking lists for shows whilst taking into consideration the venue’s existing stock and an artist’s budget. Keeping on top of a small inventory of equipment, repairing broken kit and ensuring kit is looked after. Operation and programming Chamsys MagicQ and installation of this system (including a Chauvet Net-X II node.) Sound engineering for live acts such as bands, tribute acts, comedy shows etc using the Allen & Heath SQ family of desks.

St. Peter’s School

After leaving secondary school in 2021, I was asked back on a number of occasions to help on a few different productions before coming the school’s in-house casual technician in 2022. Typically I work on shows brought through the space by external hirers (typically dance shows!) but I do occasionally find myself in over term time to work on the school’s yearly production or assessments. I still have somewhat of a spot spot for this venue given it was my former stomping ground and helped me fall in love with this industry!

Key responsibilities
Designing and rigging lighting in a theatrical space. Building staging and set pieces. Constructing and operating QLab files for use with audio, video and lighting. Programming and operating the ETC Eos family of desks. RF system setup and co-ordination. Operating and working within a PAV lift. Assisting visiting crew with load-in and out. Working with staff and students to create a safe working environment for all involved whilst also working to deliver their visions for productions. Liasing with clients to organise technical requirements prior to their show.

Staithes Festival of Arts & Heritage 2025

For 3 years, BH Sound & Lighting were involved in creating a series of light installations in the small fishing village of Staithes in North Yorkshire for their annual arts festival. In 2025 I joined the team as general build crew and one of several lighting designers.

Key responsibilities
Rigging to existing infrastructure, augmenting existing structures to be able to support lighting equipment. Working amongst the general public safely and with minimal disruption to visitors of the village. Working with outdoor lighting installations with attention to detail to ensure a clean and sophisticated install with no hazards present to visitors. Working with the Astera range of products and with other wireless DMX fixtures, programming and implementing a series of immersive experiences using a Chamsys MagicQ desk.

Larmer Tree Live

In June 2026 I worked as build crew and a sound engineer for Larmer Tree Live, a two day festival near Salisbury.

Key responsibilities
Rigging and cabling LX above head height, securing kit to trees safely. Designing outdoor LX onsite and planning power runs and load spread. Building a powered PA system with Allen & Heath control and I/O. Assisting with band load in and setup. Soundchecking band in a timely manner and looking after front of house mix during show.

Jellicoe Theatre 24/25 Season

Between October 2024 and July 2025, I worked as an ad-hoc technician for the Jellicoe Theatre at Poole College. From April to July consisted of one continuous stint over termtime, in which I oversaw everything technical for the Performing Art Department’s Final Major Project season. A good chunk of this period saw a different show in the space each week.

Key responsibilities
Organization and upkeep of technical stock and spaces. Working with staff and students to create a safe working environment for all involved whilst also working to deliver their visions for productions. Translating visions and directions into a workable technical setup and stage build. Re-designing and rigging lighting and PA on a per show basis, for both end-on and in the round theatrical performances. Designing and plotting lighting for plays and musicals. Line by line audio mixing for theatre, with live band. Plotting snapshots on a Digico for theatre. Constructing and operating QLab files for use with audio, video and lighting. Using OSC to create an interconnected front of house setup. Working with students to educate and teach them technical fundamentals in a safe, but also fast-paced, rapidly changing environment!

Odyssey @ Key West, Bournemouth

BH Sound & Lighting were approached by a private client to provide PA for a small gig on Bournemouth Pier in aid of ME Research, with the 70’s band Odyssey being the main act for the evening.

Key responsibilities
Building and operating small L-Acoustics PA. Using Allen & Heath SQ desks and I/O racks for a comprehensive FOH/MONS split PA system. Co-ordinating and setting up RF radio racks for wireless mics. Soundcheck and general system/room tuning prior to band’s arrival. Assisting with band load in and setup. Soundchecking band in a timely manner and looking after front of house mix during show.

Mi Flamenco Echoes

Brought in for the second run of this touring multimedia flamenco show in late 2022, I was originally tasked with projection operation for Mi Flamenco’s Echoes, but soon took charge of lighting operation and design for the show aswell, adding my own ideas and flair with each run till the show’s last in 2024. This was my first introduction to working with Mi Flamenco and it’s safe to say I’ve never looked back! I now look after most things technical for these guys out on the road. New show coming soon!

Key responsibilities
Creation of an accurate, venue tech ready show rider. Liasing with venue techs ahead of time. Operating and editing a simple Resolume Avenue showfile for video/image projection (also ported to QLab) Constructing and configuring of fast fold rear projection setup. Focus and rig of generic fixtures, working at height and on focus balconies. Replotting LX for show on a per-venue basis, per desk. Programming and operating ETC Eos, Avolites Titan, Zero88 FLX.

MarnhullFest

Since 2023 I have worked as lighting designer on MarnhullFest, a small festival located in the village of Marnhull, Dorset.

Key responsibilities
Designing and rigging a custom LX rig, working to stage size and limitations. Patching & programming a busking show file using Chamsys MagicQ, operating on an MQ70. Operating/busking to live music.

Fleetwood Unchained @ Winchester Theatre Royal

In May 2026 I worked with Fleetwood Unchained, a Hampshire-based Fleetwood Mac tribute, to bring their hometown gig at the Theatre Royal in Winchester to life to a sell-out audience.

Key responsibilities
Designing a touring level rig with flown and floor package fixtures as per artist’s rider requests. Pre-visualisation of full show using Chamsys MagicQ to create a touring-capable show file ready to go upon arrival in the venue. Rigging/cabling LX on the day and adapting to venue’s infrastructure and capabilities. Operating a rock’n’roll touring show file as per set list requirements with busked elements on top throughout the show.

Unicorn live!

After working with Darling Productions in 2025 for Santa Live! I joined the team as a touring technician for two runs of 2026’s new production, Unicorn Live!

Key responsibilities
Assisting with load in and out, rigging LX, tying into house systems with a touring Avolites Tiger Touch II and relighting show per venue. Keeping on top of kit maintenance and consumables levels. Working side of stage for show as a pair of hands for prop changes, set on and off, stage management.

Hall & Woodhouse AGM 2026

In March 2026, myself and the team at BH worked with Hall & Woodhouse to provide sound, lighting and AV for their Awards Nights for both their Managed Houses and Business Partnership pub divisions.

Key responsibilities
Client discussions from initial enquiry to final delivery, including site visits and quote revisions. Working to clients ideal budget and theme/ideas whilst presenting own ideas and suggestions to translate their vision into a designed event space with kit list to fulfil this design. Full lighting design to suit the Fire & Ice theme, with a pre-patch and pre-vis model prepared in advance to hand to crew on load-in via Chamsys MagicQ. Corporate show file with preset LX states for pre-show/dinner courses, presentations and award winners. Full rig also used for busking on both nights for late evening entertainment. Setup and operation of video content via a QLab file including slideshows and video content for displays and award music stings, with Spotify playlist integration via QLab scripts. Custom soundscape for outdoor area.