My name is Alex Ray. I am 22 years old and recently graduated from Rose Bruford College, achieving a 2:1 in Lighting Design. I started off as a musician but often found myself working backstage at my school shows. It was in this time where I was offered to operate the lighting for a school show where I would also be performing in. It was this moment when I knew this was what I wanted to do in life. I found myself operating the lights for all the remaining shows including the Madness Musical, Our House.

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     I studied at Suffolk New College, Ipswich, doing Production Arts where I also studied at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, working on many shows and learning from practitioners and gaining experience. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the course was discontinued. I got into contact with West Suffolk College, and they took on as a student doing the exact same course to complete diploma. West Suffolk was a Conservatoire named Conservatoire EAST, where I continued my development by doing hands on production, and getting many opportunities to work as a Lighting Designer and Technician. It was whilst I was studying here where I got my first casual job. We did a lot of work with the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds during my time in college so I decided to apply for a Casual Technician role there and have been working there when I can as often as I can to gain more experience and knowledge. I won the Student Of The Year award and completed my diploma at West Suffolk College.

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     I received an unconditional offer at Rose Bruford College where I studied BA Honours in Lighting Design where I continue to learn about myself and who I am as a practitioner. Using my experience and knowledge I gained in college and work I completed my degree at a 2:1 level, and made some great friends for life. I was a student representative for my course for my second and third year. I am looking to gain even more experience and to expand my knowledge by going out into the wide world of Theatre, and hoping to get a job in the Lighting industry.