Technical Theatre

Louis
Haywood

Sound design and live audio, lighting, and backstage operations — Birmingham Ormiston Academy Stage & Screen.

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Louis Haywood
Recent Project
SpongeBob — Sound Designer & QLab Operator
Sound design, QLab operation, and live mixing for a full-scale musical at The Core Theatre, Solihull. Feb 2026.
Specialisms
01

Sound & Audio

Behringer X32, Allen & Heath SQ7, QLab 5, live mixing for events, musicals, and concert productions.

02

Lighting

EOS ETC lighting systems — programming, cueing, and live operation for stage productions.

03

Backstage Ops

Technical theatre, rigging, show running, and real-time problem solving under pressure.

Certification

Dante Certification

Certified in Dante audio networking for professional AV environments.

Dante Certification
Background

About Me

Technical Theatre student specialising in sound design — moving from stage to desk, and loving every second of it.

I'm Louis Haywood, a BOA Stage & Screen Technical Theatre student in Year 12. My theatre journey began on stage, performing in productions such as Popstars' 90s Musical (2019), Oklahoma! (2020), Battle of Boat (2022), Bugsy Malone (2023), and The Wizard of Oz (2024). Over time I discovered my passion lay behind the scenes — especially in sound.

In 2025 I moved fully into sound with SOSage and Cookie Theatre Company, leading audio for live performances: programming and running sound effects, balancing levels, supporting rehearsals, and troubleshooting in real time.

Alongside this, I've built more than four years of experience at Alderbrook School, working extensively with the Behringer X32 digital sound desk. I've mixed live audio for major productions including We Will Rock You, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, High School Musical, as well as concerts and National Theatre Connections at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton.

I am proficient in QLab 5, building and running cue stacks, triggering effects, and synchronising sound with other technical elements. My work includes managing inputs and outputs, setting gain, applying EQ, balancing instruments and vocals, and solving problems under pressure.

Transferable Skills

Communication

Comfortable explaining ideas, giving direction, and working with different teams on and off stage.

Strong Teamwork

Used to collaborating with actors, directors, and tech crews to keep everything running smoothly.

Problem Solving

Able to think fast and sort issues during live shows or tight turnarounds.

Technical Ability

Deep understanding of modern computer systems and professional audio/lighting hardware.

Time Management

Always prepared, organised, and on schedule for rehearsals and events.

Creative

Able to shape ideas, adapt quickly, and bring fresh solutions when plans change.

Technical Expertise
Behringer X32 Allen & Heath SQ7 QLab 5 EOS ETC Lighting Live Sound Mixing Sound Design Follow Spot Operation EQ & Gain Management Troubleshooting Stage Rigging Show Running Dante Networking
Work

Portfolio

Curtain Call — Zombie Prom
Son et Lumière Get-in Timelapse
Learning Timecode Timelapse
Live Mixing
Production work
Production work
Production work
Production work
Production work
Production work
Production work
Production work
Production work
On Stage

Performance Experience

My theatre journey began on stage — these performing roles gave me the empathy to work alongside performers as a sound operator and technician.

Uncle Henry & The Guard

"The Wizard of Oz"

March 2024 · Artrix Theatre, Bromsgrove
Fat Sam (Semi-lead)

"Bugsy Malone"

March 2023 · The Core Theatre, Solihull
Jimmy

"Battle of Boat"

March 2022
Ensemble

"Oklahoma!"

2020
Ensemble

"Popstars' 90s Musical"

2019
Résumé

CV

hello@louishaywood.uk

Personal Profile

Enthusiastic and technically adept theatre technician with practical experience in sound design, live audio mixing, and stage production. Skilled in supporting live performances through precision, teamwork, and problem solving under pressure. Adept at operating industry-standard equipment and working collaboratively with production teams to deliver high-quality theatrical experiences. Detail-driven and creatively minded, committed to providing a consistently high standard of service.

Technical Experience
Feb 2026

Sound Designer & QLab Operator — SpongeBob, The Core Theatre Solihull

  • Took notes during rehearsals to brief the technical team effectively.
  • Managed QLab for all rehearsals and shows, covering all sound effects.
  • Dealt with requirements and expectations of the production team.
  • Provided technical support throughout the production period.
  • Led as sound designer, taking responsibility for the overall soundscape.
  • Worked closely with the stage management team and coordinated inter-relations with other technical elements.
Jan – Feb 2026

Sound Technician — FAME, John Henry Newman Catholic College

  • Live mixing across all rehearsals and performances.
  • Mic'd performers and carried out sound and quality checks.
  • Managed QLab for sound cues throughout the run.
  • Coordinated inter-relations with other technical elements including lighting.
Nov – Dec 2025

QLab Swing & Follow Spot Swing — Cinderella, The Old Rep

  • Provided technical cover for the production, stepping in as QLab Operator and Follow Spot.
  • Responded directly to cues from the stage management department.
Feb 2025

Sound Designer & Technician — Zombie Prom, Alderbrook School

  • Designed the production's soundscape end-to-end.
  • Live mixed 12 microphones plus a live band of 10 instruments.
  • Conducted sound checks and quality control prior to each performance.
  • Supported get-in and get-out operations.
Sep 2020 – Jun 2025

Stage Crew — Alderbrook School

  • Led technical setup and sound design for school productions.
  • Ran live shows from the sound desk, managing cues and audio mixes.
  • Collaborated with teams to ensure seamless show execution.
  • Mixed live audio for major productions: We Will Rock You, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, High School Musical.
Education
Sep 2025 – Present

Birmingham Ormiston Academy — Stage & Screen

Level 3 in Technical Theatre and Live Events.

Sep 2020 – Jun 2025

Alderbrook School

GCSE Grade 4 — Drama (specialising in sound design)
GCSE Grade 4 — Photography
Level 2 Distinction — iMedia

Theatre Technical Skills
Behringer X32 Allen & Heath SQ7 QLab 5 EOS ETC Lighting Live Sound Mixing Sound Design Microphone Management Follow Spot Operation Problem Solving Under Pressure Stage Management Comms Dante Networking
IT Systems
Word Excel PowerPoint Google Workspace Blender Visual Studio Code Windows macOS
General Skills

Time management & prioritisation · Strong problem-solving · Attention to detail · Customer engagement & relationship building

Creative imagination · Self-motivated & hard working · Independent and team player · Focus on safety · Ability to react in pressurised live environments

References

Available upon request.

Get in Touch

Contact

Whether it's a production, a work placement, or just a conversation about audio — I'd love to hear from you.

hello@louishaywood.uk