On May 16, 2003, Mike Crossman, White Light's long-serving hire director, will leave the company. Crossman has been with White Light for 15 years, during which time he has overseen an ever-more diverse range of hire projects from the smallest school shows to the largest West End and touring productions as well as the company's move from Fulham to Wimbledon.
"I have had a fantastic time through the years at White Light, working with great people in the company and with all of the great people we work with in theatres and on shows," says Crossman. "I will miss all of them and the hustle and bustle of getting shows on, but I feel that it is time for me to get out of the office and explore the world a bit!" To that end, he is leaving White Light to embark on an 18-month round-the-world trip.
"Mike has made a tremendous contribution to White Light's growth in recent years," comments White Light's managing director John Simpson. "We and our customers will miss his easy-going manner and unflappability even when faced with the most complex projects or tightest deadlines. We wish him well on his travels."
The Hire team is also being expanded with three new appointments. Jedd Hamilton, formerly of Midnight Design and PSL, has already joined White Light as a member of the front-line Hire team, while David Baum, formerly of Mountview and Shaw Theatre, will now be working in business development for White Light Hire. They have been joined by Jon Coventry, formerly a partner in CAP Productions. Coventry will be overseeing the increasing range of "wet" hire projects for which White Light supply both equipment and production services.
To coincide with Mike Crossman's departure, White Light will be holding an Open Day at its Wimbledon headquarters on Thursday May 15, to allow visitors both to wish Crossman well on his travels and to meet the new members of both the Hire and Sales teams. White Light's full range of hire and sales products will also be on show. Full details of the Open Day, which will run 2-8pm, are available by visiting the White Light website.