From small stages to pro venues, built on real productions and real crews
Sound and lighting technician with practical experience across musical theatre and live event production. Proficient in FOH mixing, lighting programming, RF coordination, and show operation. Experienced liaising with directors, musical directors, and stage management to deliver cohesive, high-quality technical outcomes.
Sean Howison
Melbourne-based sound and lighting technician currently undertaking a Bachelor of Audio at SAE Institute. I've developed my skillset through integral roles across multiple large-scale musical theatre productions, operating FOH consoles, designing and programming lighting rigs, and coordinating wireless microphone systems. I liaise closely with key production stakeholders including directors, musical directors, and stage managers to ensure technical elements align with the creative vision. As a performing musician across bass guitar, percussion, and vocals, I bring a strong understanding of performer requirements to every production I'm part of.
Formal training and accreditation in sound production, theatre studies, and live event workflows.
VCE — Wodonga Senior Secondary College
- VET Music: Sound Production (Units 1–4)
- Theatre Studies (Units 1–4)
- Applied Computing (Units 1–4)
- Music Contemporary Performance (Units 3–4)
- (Other subjects available on request)
SAE Institute Melbourne — Bachelor of Audio
Currently enrolled and building hands-on industry experience alongside tertiary study in audio engineering and production.
Certificate III in Music (Sound Production)
Focused on live sound reinforcement, studio recording, and production workflows.
- Live sound setup, gain staging, and FOH mixing
- Recording and editing in digital audio workstations
- Signal flow, acoustics fundamentals, and system patching
Key production credits across live sound engineering, lighting design and operation, and show orchestra performance. Click a production for a detailed scope of responsibilities.
Operated followspot across all performances in a professional venue environment.
- Tracked performers with precision during fast-paced ensemble staging.
- Executed cues in real time from stage management calls and cue sheets.
- Maintained consistent colour temperature, intensity, and beam focus in line with the production's lighting design.
- Contributed to smooth technical rehearsal and show run processes.
Performed electric bass in the show orchestra across two performance weekends.
- Sight-read notated charts and followed musical director cues in a live pit environment.
- Locked in with the rhythm section to provide foundational support for vocals and choreography.
- Delivered consistent tone, dynamics, and timing across repeated performances.
Performed percussion as part of the show orchestra.
- Covered multiple percussion parts with consistent timing and dynamic control.
- Coordinated with the FOH engineer to maintain a balanced and clear mix.
Provided technical assistance across sound and lighting departments during tech week.
- Assisted with rigging, patching, and operation of sound and lighting systems.
- Supported the technical director in programming and refining cue sequences.
Sole lighting designer and operator for the production, responsible for the complete design, programming, and execution of all lighting states and cue sequences.
- Designed and programmed all lighting cues in ETC Nomad/EOS to support scene transitions, special effects, and dramatic storytelling.
- Adapted cue timing and states in response to evolving blocking throughout rehearsals.
- Liaised closely with the director to translate narrative and emotional beats into effective, high-impact lighting design.
- Nominated for a Georgy Award for Achievement in Lighting Design in a Junior Production (2025).
Served as primary sound engineer for a full-scale musical theatre production, managing end-to-end FOH operations.
- Configured and managed 12+ wireless vocal microphone systems including RF coordination and battery management.
- Mixed vocals, dialogue, and backing tracks live on a Behringer X32 digital console.
- Delivered the final stereo mix recording used for the official video capture of the production.
- Diagnosed and resolved technical faults under time pressure during live performances.
Primary sound technician responsible for all audio operations across rehearsals and performances.
- Configured and operated FOH sound systems for the production run.
- Achieved a balanced and clear mix across dialogue, vocals, and backing tracks.
- Liaised with the director on sound design decisions and creative audio choices.
FOH mixing, ETC EOS programming, RF coordination, signal flow diagnostics, and cross-department collaboration in live production environments.
Live Sound Reinforcement
Proficient in FOH mixing for musical theatre with up to 12+ wireless vocal channels. Experienced in input list creation, system patching, RF coordination, battery management, and multi-channel recording for archival and review purposes.
Lighting Design & Programming
Programming and executing cue stacks in ETC Nomad/EOS for scripted productions. Designing lighting states in collaboration with directors, adapting cues to evolving blocking, and operating followspot in professional venue contexts.
Signal Flow & Diagnostics
Comfortable tracing complete signal paths from source to output and isolating faults efficiently under live performance pressure.
Production Preparation & Stakeholder Liaison
Thorough pre-production workflow including script analysis, cue sheet preparation, and input list development. Effective communication with directors, musical directors, and stage management to ensure technical delivery aligns with creative intent.
WHS Compliance & Theatre Etiquette
Maintaining safe working practices across cabling, power distribution, manual handling, and shared backstage environments with cast and crew.
Reliability & Composure
Known for remaining calm under pressure, retaining cue and change information, and consistently arriving prepared and early to ensure technical readiness.
Endorsements from directors on large-scale musical theatre productions.
"Sean's work on the musical production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street was exemplary, especially considering it was his first large-scale project. Despite being the youngest and newest member of the team, he managed the live mixing of twelve vocal microphones seamlessly, ensuring a perfect balance with the music tracks. Sean's proficiency with the digital desk and his meticulous handling of the live mix recording, which was used for the video recording, highlighted his technical skills and dedication. His contributions were invaluable to the success of the production."— Tanya Gower, Director of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
"Sean Howison solely designed and operated the lights for Wodonga Senior Secondary's recent whole school production of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child. Throughout the production process he attended rehearsals and analysed the script to accurately interpret the scenes and design appropriate and effective high-impact lighting to enhance the production. His lighting design was effective in bringing mood to enhance the scenes as well as creating contrast and aiding in the many effects and transitions demanded by this difficult script. He quickly adapted to new software and applied its use to the production. He was open to suggestions and feedback from the director as well as bringing creative suggestions and effects to the show."— Lynette Campbell, Director of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child