Students Light Central Red in Support of the #WeMakeEvents Campaign
On Wednesday 30 September, Central students lit the School’s buildings red in support of the Global Action Day for the ongoing #WeMakeEvents Campaign.
Led by 2nd and 3rd year Lighting Design and Production Lighting students Oliver Partridge, Daniel Parrott and Luca Serra, Central was illuminated to show support for #WeMakeEvents, a coordinated action to raise awareness of the events sector, which urgently needs more support to survive the Covid-19 crisis. With support from Central staff and working alongside industry partner Static Light Company, students lit all the corridors of the West Block building as well as the School’s main entrance on Eton Avenue red in a show of solidarity and support for the campaign. Standing together with colleagues alongside a growing collective of organisations, companies and freelancers around the world, the team worked tirelessly to support the cause and ensure that industry voices are heard.
Of the student-led involvement in the campaign Nick Moran, Central’s Course Leader for Lighting Design and Production Lighting and Senior Lecturer in Design for Performance, said:
“The idea for lighting Central’s buildings red to show our support for #WeMakeEvents came from a student. As our term hasn’t started yet, we shared the idea with others on the two lighting courses. They made plans, liaised with Static Light Company – who have been fantastically supportive – and Central’s on-site Estates team, worked up all the Covid-Secure risk assessments, and made it happen. It’s a real tribute to them as a group, and a reflection of the spirit of collaboration and enterprise we strive to encourage across the Theatre Practice programme.”
Initially launched by PLASA in response to calls from its membership and now run independently with steering from industry bodies, organisations and freelancers, #WeMakeEvents aims to raise awareness around the current plight of the live events sector and how it urgently needs financial support in order to survive the Covid-19 crisis. The first collective Day of Action was on Tuesday 11 August for which over 700 buildings across the United Kingdom lit up in red; activities culminated with 4,000 socially distanced event professionals lining bridges and the bankside of the Thames, expressing their need for support.
The success of initial activities has led to a global movement, with organisations from around the world coming together in a spirit of mutual support and solidarity. On 30 September, for the Global Day of Action, venues in countries from New Zealand to Canada and across Europe joined in the campaign.
For more information about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit the #WeMakeEvents website.
