Bandit Lites Provides Hands-On Industry Experience Through Summer Lighting Technician Apprentice Program
NASHVILLE, TN – Bandit Lites’ Summer Lighting Technician Apprentice Program continues to provide the next generation of live entertainment professionals with hands-on experience inside one of the industry’s leading lighting companies. This summer, four students – Will Everson, Micah Dooley, Vivian Kenney and Zayda DeJong – gained valuable experience preparing and working with professional lighting systems while learning the technical and operational standards of the live entertainment industry.
For Everson and Dooley, this summer marked their second summer as Bandit Lites interns. After demonstrating their technical abilities, work ethic and commitment during their first summer in the shop, both returned this year with an opportunity to take the next step in their development: working on the road with live productions.
Their progression from the warehouse to touring environments demonstrates one of the program’s key objectives – giving students the opportunity to earn greater responsibility by developing their skills in a professional production environment.
“One of the most rewarding parts of our internship program is seeing students grow from their first day in the shop to becoming technicians we can trust in the field.” Said Jake Tickle, Bandit Lites Chief Technology Officer. “Will and Micah returned to Bandit for a second summer after proving themselves during their first internship, building their technical knowledge and demonstrating that they were ready for more responsibility. That growth gave us the confidence to send them out on the road and give them the opportunity to experience a live production from a completely different perspective. It’s a great example of what we hope this program can provide – real hands-on experience, mentorship and a pathway for students to take what they’ve learned in the shop and put it into practice on tour.”
Throughout the summer, the apprentices worked directly with actual client lighting rigs, gaining experience with everything from fixture preparation and rig building to power distribution, signal flow, troubleshooting and the logistical considerations involved in preparing equipment for shows across the country. The program gives students an opportunity to see firsthand how the work performed in the warehouse translates to a live production environment.
“Our interns brought fresh energy, new ideas, and an incredible work ethic to our team!” said Dawn Culbertson, Bandit Lites General Manager. “We’ve been so impressed by their willingness to learn, step up, and contribute wherever they were needed. It’s been a privilege to watch them grow, and we are excited to see where their talents take them!”
Everson, a student at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), said his time at Bandit provided an important opportunity to expand both his technical knowledge and understanding of the production process.
“Bandit was a valuable steppingstone in developing my skills as a technician and a broad understanding of how lighting works in the grand scheme of things,” Everson said. “I learned more about how moving lights work than I ever could have expected, and I got to see up close the thought process behind how rigs are built in a warehouse and how a technician plans for it to be seen and used by local crews around the country.”
Everson also emphasized the people and culture that made his experience particularly meaningful.
“Bandit had some absolutely incredible people who were an absolute pleasure to work with,” he said. “It was clear that the company cares deeply about their employees and the culture of the warehouse. It is largely for these reasons I would love to return to Bandit.”
Dooley, a student at the University of Oklahoma’s Helmerich School of Drama, also returned to Bandit for his second summer and was able to build on the experience he gained during his first internship.
“My favorite part about interning here at Bandit is all the connections, all the people I’ve met and got to learn from this summer,” Dooley said.
For Vivian Kenney, a student at the University of Washington in Seattle, the internship provided an opportunity to develop technical skills while gaining a broader understanding of how different types of live productions come together.
“I have enjoyed learning more about the ins and outs of how a tour comes together,” Kenney said. “I have also gained technical knowledge of power distribution and signal flow. Bandit has provided me with training to feel more confident going out on the road in my future career.”
Kenney also gained exposure to the diverse range of productions supported by Bandit, including award shows, tours, festivals and one-off events, while learning how preparation and execution can vary from production to production.
Zayda DeJong, also a student at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), used her time with Bandit to gain firsthand experience with professional lighting equipment and the day-to-day workflow of a major live entertainment production company.
Beyond technical skills, the program gives students an opportunity to experience the culture, pace and expectations of the live entertainment industry. Apprentices work alongside experienced Bandit technicians and are exposed to the collaboration, attention to detail and problem-solving required to successfully execute productions at the highest level.
For Everson and Dooley, the opportunity to return for a second summer and ultimately take their skills on the road illustrates the progression that can come from continued learning and performance.