BFA
Technical Director, Resource Coord Thtr
School of Performing Arts - Technical Theatre
The BlueShore at CapU
School of Performing Arts
604.986.1911 ext. 3057
Birch Building, room BR110A
mlawrence@capilanou.ca
Education
BFA, Technical and Theatrical Management, University of Victoria, 1993.
"Live Long and Prosper"
Bio
Mark "Sparky" Lawrence (BFA, University of Victoria, 1993) is a Production Manager and Technical Director with over 25 years experience working in the theatre and special events industries, and 10 years experience teaching at Capilano University.
After receiving his degree, Lawrence was the Technical Director at the Station Street Arts Center/Fend Players Society for 4 years, where he worked on numerous theatrical productions, festivals and music events. He then moved on to working in the special events and trade show industry for PGI Events and Destinations as the Production Facility Manager. He helped produce numerous trade shows, product launches and special events with clients and events such as APEC 97, Volkswagen, Royal Bank of Canada, Jaguar, Boston Pizza and Manulife.
Lawrence then returned to the world of theatre, where he was the Production Manager for Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. He worked on over 40 productions and special events including the redesign of the Bard Festival Site. The redesign involved the design and construction of the BMO Mainstage and Howard Family Stage theatres.
From 2013-15, Lawrence worked on the design and construction committees for the building of the BMO Theatre Centre at West First Avenue. At over 50,000 square feet, the home of the Goldcorp Stage included a 250 seat theatre with four shared rehearsal halls, two costume construction shops and offices for the Arts Club Theatre Company, the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival and the Vancouver International Wine Festival.
Being a production manager by trade, I find the best way to learn is by doing. In class, I emphasize a hands-on approach to learning by using the equipment to facilitate the productions and events we produce.
With the ever-changing technologies in the theatrical industry, it is imperative to give students the skills and confidence to self learn, which we do by encouraging our students to try new things and work outside their comfort zone.