Staff Profile – Andrew Leeke, Assistant Technical Director

How long have you worked at Soulpepper and tell us a little bit about what your job consisted of lately.

June will mark the end of my first year here at Soulpepper. Since moving to Toronto from my home town of Montréal I have hit the ground running. Most recently I was the technical lead on The Gigli Concert and Of Human Bondage.

My job begins with the preliminary design phase, costing of the set, sound and lighting design and working with the designers to fit within the budget. I then draft all the construction plans which go to our shop to be built. I oversee the build and painting of the set as well as coordinating with the Props and Wardrobe departments to meet the production’s needs.

After construction and painting is complete I, with our crew, install the show in the theatre. Then comes my favourite part of the process, Tech Week. Tech Week is when the actors, director and stage managers move from the rehearsal hall to the theatre. We then work very hard to build all of the technical elements of the show and prepare for our first performance.

What kinds of shows/productions/events have you been involved in outside of work?

Outside of Soulpepper I have helped out on few productions here in Toronto. My partner often works as a production manager so I get a chance to work on some smaller (but no less ambitious!) shows with her. Some of these include Theatre Columbus’ outdoor show Weather the Weather and Theatre Direct’s Old Man and the River.

When you’re not at work, what are you doing?

Besides being a big theatre-goer, I really enjoy film as well.  I go to see a lot of movies and love all the festivals and repertory houses in Toronto. I also really enjoy carpentry and have been teaching myself some fine woodworking skills lately.

What do you love about working at Soulpepper?

I understand that this is a popular answer, but it is really the people. I’ve never been in an office of such dedicated, upbeat, funny coworkers in my life. I have a great support network here; it’s what keeps me going when the shows get tough.