Thank you so much to Jack for taking the time to share his story. It’s been wonderful to see how he continues to carry his passions and curiosity with him, and we’re so excited to see where his career takes him next!
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In our latest Castilian Spotlight, we caught up with Jack Finney (Class of 2019), a Freelance Lighting and Video Technician. His journey from the NULS stage to the world of international touring highlights the impact of networking, technical skill, and, above all, the power of being yourself.
For Jack, the bridge between being a student to professional was built during his time at NULS through a culture of mutual respect between teachers and students. Whether on the hockey pitch or behind the scenes in a production, Jack felt treated as an equal contributor to the school’s vibrant community.
“I did so many different things at NULS because the school gave me the opportunity. Whether it was hockey or CCF, those were all key moments that I really enjoyed. And doing the shows was a coming together of creative people. Because we were so academic, coming together to do the shows provided some of my favourite memories of Newcastle — working with the teachers on a personal level made a really big difference. It wasn’t just ‘you speak and I’ll listen.’ I found that mutual respect of each other’s ideas really useful for how I learn. It made it much more enjoyable because you could have an adult conversation even though you were still a pupil.”
This unique environment allowed Jack to develop a voice and the confidence to share his ideas – a trait that has served him well in the professional arts industry.
Jack frequently returns to both the pitch and the theatre, and even as a working professional, he finds that the core values of the school haven’t changed.
“It wasn’t just the drama; I still play hockey now and come back to the school every two weeks to play on that pitch. It’s great being with the same friends I grew up with at school. When I returned as a working professional to support the drama department, it was interesting to bounce ideas off them. I realised that the way I was treated as a student – having adult conversations and not being treated like a kid – was still the standard. The trust that the drama teachers had in me to come back, put on a show, and manage a budget was really rewarding. To watch the guys I was at school with progressing through their Sixth Form careers was also special; seeing a Year 7 who was once too shy to speak become a lead actor is what we’re there for.”
Jack’s journey into the technical world took a significant turn when he applied to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). The process was intensive, but it taught him a vital lesson: authenticity is your greatest asset.
“The application process for RADA was unique because it isn’t a typical UCAS university. I applied on a whim; I wasn’t initially interested in university, but my mum encouraged me to try. I visited six different universities to experience the campus vibe versus city life. RADA was the only one where I walked away with a smile, thinking, ‘I could see myself here.’ There were thousands of applicants for only 30 spots, so it’s a massive process that gets crammed down, much like an actor going for a role. When I got the tour and met the older students, I knew I had to work for a place there. When the unconditional offer came back, I was in shock – over the moon. It was a long process, but definitely worth it.”
Jack emphasises that the best way to stand out is simply to be who you are.
“You’ve got to be yourself because these people see so many students; they can call out a facade straight off the bat. Be confident in what you know, but also be open and willing to learn what you don’t. The last thing you want to do is say you can do something and then look like an idiot because you can’t. If they like you, that’s great. If they don’t, they will give you feedback. Sometimes it’s just about whether you’re the right fit for that specific course at that time.”
Once in the industry, Jack realised that technical knowledge is only half the battle. Success often comes down to who you know and how you treat them.
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. In this industry, that is a very strong factor in the initial stages of your career.”
This networking led him from lighting into the world of video and LED screens, often through chance conversations.
“I was having dinner with someone I’d worked with before at the Royal Albert Hall. He was about to go inside for a de-rig for an LED company. I’d only ever done lighting, but he mentioned they needed an extra hand that night. He passed my experience on to the boss, and from that moment onwards, I found a new side of the industry I really enjoyed. It eventually led to my dream of touring. I did a theatre tour in 2024, but I moved into a role as an LED technician for a tour in September. It allows me to learn from the crew chief while being in charge of my own area and travelling around Europe.”
While many imagine touring as a glamorous holiday, Jack is honest about the grit and the “you-time” required to avoid burnout.
“Everyone thinks touring is this glamorous lifestyle, but in two and a half months, I only had four days off to actually visit a place. Any other time was spent travelling or working. You have to force yourself to go out just to see the sun. Learning to take space for yourself is one of the biggest lessons. You share a bus, a shower, and a workspace with the same unit of people constantly. Managing burnout by taking a walk with your headphones in or just saying ‘no’ to socialising for an afternoon is so important for your headspace.”
Travelling globally has taught Jack that while cultures vary, the fundamental goal of the work provides a common ground.
“Every country and culture is different. The way you react in one venue might get you kicked out of the next. It’s about taking tiny steps to figure out how they run things and being respectful of their house. We work in unison because we both want the job to be done. Even at the highest level, the creative flow is a conversation. As a freelancer, I make what the designers envisioned happen. We can suggest changes or different ways of working; it’s a group process where no idea is a bad idea.”
The high-stress situations of live performance require nerves of steel. Jack recalls a moment at a summer festival where the technical failure of massive LED screens required immediate action.
“Every production I’ve ever done has had something go wrong. High-stress situations—where 20,000 people are watching and the big screens suddenly turn off—require the team to stay calm. At a festival in the summer, the screens started breaking piece by piece. So I had to get a harness on and climb 15 metres in the air in front of the entire crowd to fix the screen mid-show. It was raining and I was incredibly nervous, but I just thought: ‘This is why I’m here; this is my job.’ Doing that safely while everyone is watching was definitely a memorable moment.”
Beyond the technical achievements, some of Jack’s proudest moments have been the opportunities to bring his loved ones along for the ride. For Jack, success is best shared with those who supported him from the start.
“One of the highlights was definitely being able to bring my mum to Glastonbury. To have her there and show her exactly what it is I do, and for her to see the scale of it, was incredible. She was the one who pushed me to apply to RADA and supported me when I wasn’t sure about university, so being able to give her that experience was really special. Similarly, I’ve managed to get my friends into Reading Festival. Growing up, those were the places we dreamed of going to, and now I’m in a position where I’m working them and can involve my mates in the fun. It’s a great feeling to share that world with them.”
Jack’s final words of wisdom for the students at NULS today are simple: embrace every opportunity.
“If you don’t get the grades you wanted, it can sometimes lead you on a different path that better suits you. That’s exactly what happened to me. Don’t be afraid to turn a surprise into an opportunity. Get involved with extracurricular activities. If you’re interested in technology, building things, or makeup, speak to the drama department—they will facilitate it. My teachers went out of their way to find people to teach me my niche interests. Play hockey to clear your head; do CCF to learn about discipline and leadership. These things make you a much more rounded ‘package deal’ than the stereotypical student. Do not be scared to be yourself—it shines through much more than trying to fit in.”
Thank you so much to Jack for taking the time to share his story. It’s been wonderful to see how he continues to carry his passions and curiosity with him, and we’re so excited to see where his career takes him next!
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