Ben Sumner MBA

Ben trained in technical theatre at the Central School of Speech and Drama. So far his professional career has included education, lighting design, production management, props construction, scenery construction, set design, stage management, technical management and theatre administration. Genres include corporate events, dance, drama, musical theatre, opera and television. He has worked not only in the UK, but also in Australia, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Greece, Japan, Northern Ireland, Macau and USA.

Ben started to teach at the Guildhall in 1987. In 1990 he became Senior Lecturer in Technical Management at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts where he remained for twelve very happy years. In 2002 he was finally persuaded to leave to accept the post of Programme Director (Production, Design and Arts Management) at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth, Australia.

After returning to the UK with his family in 2006 Ben picked up his freelance career in Production Management working on circus and corporate events in the UK, and the Far-East. In the summer of 2007 he finally came home to the Guildhall School and is now Director of Technical Theatre.