Jude Samways

jude
samways

Lighting designer and operator for theatre, pantomime and dance.

About

  • Lighting design
  • Lighting operation and follow spot
  • Rigging and get-ins
  • Sound, pyro and backstage support

I have been lighting shows since March 2024, starting on follow spot and desk at my school and growing into designing and operating full productions for local theatre groups, dance schools and village halls.

Alongside shows I have taken the Theatre Royal Bath course, helped maintain my school theatre, attended PLASA, and spent time on work experience with Enlightened loading trucks, handling flightcases and cleaning fixtures.

Selected work

2026

  • Peter PanLighting designer and operator
  • AnnieProduction
  • EnlightenedLoading bands and trucks, handling flightcases, cleaning fixtures
  • Sue Hill DanceGet-in and get-out crew
  • PLASAIndustry show

2025

  • FrostedLighting design and operation, rigging, pyro. Nominated for lighting
  • Christmas ConcertLighting design
  • MatildaCrew management, radio mics, photography
  • PinocchioRigging and general help
  • Sue Hill Dance ShowDance
  • TTGFurther productions through the year
  • PLASAIndustry show

2024

  • Snow White and the Seven DwarfsLighting and follow spot
  • Christmas ConcertLighting
  • A Midsummer Night’s DreamSound
  • Beauty and the BeastLighting operator
  • Theatre Royal Bath courseLearned ASM and lighting
  • Kilmington Village HallLighting consultant, working unaided
  • Sue Hill Dance ShowLighting operator
  • School of RockLighting operator and follow spot
  • Writhlington theatreGeneral maintenance
A nice balance between general lighting with some effective specials. The use of the mirror ball gave a nice dimension to the flying scene and the chasing lights in the sword fight added excitement. Some nice touches, done well.

Ian Doswell, adjudicator, Somerset Fellowship of Drama’s David Beach Competition, on Peter Pan

Lighting choices complemented the story beautifully, with cool blues signalling colder weather and snowflake projections creating a festive atmosphere.

Rob Spurway, adjudicator for the Somerset Fellowship of Drama, on Frosted, December 2025. Frosted was also nominated for lighting.

Get in touch

Available for lighting design, operation and crew work on theatre, dance and community productions.

Email Jude

Jude.samways.lighting@gmail.com