Who are you?
Natalie Oxenham – Lighting Programmer, Crew Chief, Production Electrician and Automation Technician.
Describe the work you do
I have been touring for 15 years and have been involved in many different aspects of the entertainment industry. I transfer musicals internationally as a programmer, also I am a crew chief of lighting on musicals and live events. I have worked as a programmer in TV studios and as an automation technician for concert touring.
What led you to your current work?
I studied at university which gave me an opportunity to try many different aspects of the industry and I connected with lighting. From there I kept trying different avenues of lighting to build my skills and knowledge.
What are you working on now or about to start work on?
I have been touring on Sir Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour since the beginning of 2019 as automation. Currently, we are doing a stadium run in North America.
What are the good things about your job?
The travel and the people you meet on tour become your family.
I have had some incredible life experiences like watching the carnival in Brazil after work, doing a show in Hyde Park London and Madison Square Garden, and being in the front lounge of our double-decker tour bus coming over the mountains in Switzerland.
I love that no two days are the same and you are constantly thinking on your feet. There is an immense reward in solving problems for a living.
What are the worse things about your job?
Always being away from family and friends during big events or emergencies.
There is also a high level of burnout in this industry due to the long, intense hours and back-to-back tours.
Your mental health also suffers from a lack of sleep and fatigue.
What, so far, has been your career highlight?
There have been so many.
As you grow in the industry and take on different challenges and roles, each advancement feels like its own highlight. One tour will always be a favourite for me – my first big overseas arena tour. How to Train Your Dragon blew my mind with the sheer amount of gear, logistics and technology involved.
What is the most blatant example of sexism you have encountered at work?
Unfortunately, I have seen it from the top down. From bosses telling me “that they will make sure I will never make it in the industry”. From touring shows through the Middle East as a female crew chief, I was physically threatened daily and had to have male crew members speak for me. Even on this tour, I get some of our local men who refuse to “take orders from a woman” or “you can’t tell me what to do” and they have to be swapped out.
What advice would you give to any woman thinking of a career in the entertainment industry?
Ask questions and own your mistakes.
Always be ready to work 5mins before call time.
Watch out for your mental health and look after yourself.
Look for a mentor.
Get in and give everything ago.
What is your career goal?
To keep learning and adapting. I have an opportunity to work in the video department coming up and I am keen to develop new skills.
And do the odd live band at my beach bar. Isn’t everyone’s goal to retire to their private island?
