Paul Halter

Paul consults on all aspects of theatre design, specialising in the design of stage engineering and other technical systems.

I’m a Senior Consultant at Charcoalblue specialising in Team Leading and Stage Engineering design. After a long and varied career in production based theatre, the opportunity to create spaces for the performing arts was exactly what I was seeking. Not only within new buildings but the ability to assist existing venues looking to develop their buildings for the future.It does sound corny but after my friends and family, theatre really is the great love of my life! It’s given me an incredible career and in my role at Charcoalblue, the opportunity to reflect my knowledge and experience back to future generations of artists, technicians and audiences.

What Does Great Design or Experience Mean to You

For performance spaces I value a feeling of connection with other audience members as well as the performance.Small changes to an existing auditorium, as well as a carefully considered new environment, can make a world of difference.To back of house areas, understanding the flow of scenic elements, particularly in producing venues, can improve the life of technicians immensely. After being on the receiving end of poor logistics at points in my career, it’s something I am passionate about!

What You Hope People Feel in a Space You’ve Worked On

To be honest? I don’t want them to notice it initially, for me the goal is that their entire focus has been on the art. That is the most important thing, to experience the production and to completely lose yourself in it. Everything we do is in service of this.Outside of a performance, I would hope that people would appreciate the combination of good design and architecture. That they would feel that the building was well conceived, served its purpose as a place where people can be together and that they would like to come back.

What We Won’t Learn from Your CV

That I was once stranded in Antananarivo, Madagascar for a month in the middle of a military coup, at one point having to take refuge in an Air France office in the middle of a full blown riot!

A Place That Shaped or Inspires You

Shaped? Although I’ve lived away for many years – Liverpool, my beloved home.Inspires? A place I would like to live in if not London – Berlin, the place crackles with energy.

What Are You Learning About Right Now

Music production. As a dyed in the wool raver, acid house is in my blood, I love playing with bleeps and beatsHouse music all night long.

Cultural Value You Most Identify With

Although it would be easy to identify with all of our cultural values I would select Creativity and Innovation.Coming from a career in often subsidised theatre, to realise incredible things on stage with limited budget was a real challenge. With limited resources and imagination, you were forced to become an inventor! This is something I carry with me on all projects at Charcoalblue. How can we do the same thing but better and how can we do something in an entirely different way but without breaking the bank? This could be on a piece of theatrical equipment or finding a solution with an architect and structural engineer to design a balcony in a way they may not have considered.