MARK BAKER

Theatre and Production Manager

MA in Film Studies (University of Newcastle upon Tyne)
Film and Video Production (North East Media Training Centre)

Role and responsibilities:

  • To ensure the smooth running of all technical aspects of the school and the Riley Theatre
  • To deliver lectures as part of the creative and contextual faculty teaching production techniques, lighting design and cinema studies.
  • To instruct and mentor students in the application of technology to their creative work.
  • Lighting designer for all in house productions

Career history

Mark has worked in theatre for 35 years, starting off in stage management before becoming a lighting technician at the Newcastle Playhouse. He was appointed as Production Manager for the Newcastle Dance Festival in 1990 and has specialised in lighting for dance ever since. He designed and toured nationally and internationally with Miranda Tufnell and dance companies such as Bi Ma and David Massingham Dance. Since joining NSCD he has lit work by many leading choreographers including Hofesh Schecter, Mark Baldwin, Wayne MacGregor, Ben Wright, Darshan SinghBhuller, Lea Anderson, Henri Oguike and Kim Brandstrup. He has over 20 years’ experience of teaching lighting and sound for stage, stage management and video production at all levels. He also works as a digital filmmaker and has produced videos for Phoenix Dance Theatre and Balbir Singh. Mark has a Higher Diploma in Film & Video Production and an MA in Film Studies from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.