Since graduating, Andrew has built an impressive and rapidly growing portfolio. His credits include The Creakers by Tom Fletcher (Theatre Royal Plymouth & Southbank Centre), Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana (UK Tour 2024/25), Friends: The Parody Musical (UK Tour), The Full Monty (UK Tour), Pig Heart Boy (Unicorn Theatre, Sheffield Theatres & UK Tour), Midnight Cowboy (Southwark Playhouse), and Bleak Expectations (West End), among many others. He has also worked internationally on productions such as West Side Story and The Bodyguard in Slovenia, and German touring productions including Mord im Orient Express and Das Spongebob Musical.

During the session, Andrew broke down the key stages of the design process for Priscilla Queen of the Desert, giving students a real-world understanding of how lighting and set design concepts are developed, communicated, and realised in a professional touring environment.

Following the talk, students from across the Stage department, including Set, Props & Costume and Hair & Make-up pathways, were invited to Birmingham Hippodrome to watch the production live. The experience was further enriched with an exclusive backstage tour, where students met members of the creative and technical teams and gained insight into what it takes to deliver a large-scale UK tour.

Andrew Exeter said: “It was great to return to BOA and share my journey with the current Year 12 students, reflecting on where I was just nine years ago. Priscilla was the first musical I worked on after leaving BOA, as an assistant lighting designer, so it feels like a real full-circle moment to now be working on the new UK tour as Set and Lighting Designer on the new UK Tour, and to be sharing that experience with students who could be in the same position in the years to come.

It’s hard to believe it’s been that long since I left BOA, but it was amazing to see the teaching and opportunities there continuing to grow and thriving bigger than ever. I hope I inspired students to keep pushing their creativity, and to realise that building a full-time career doing something you’re truly passionate about is not only possible, but incredibly rewarding.”

Luke Johnson, Teacher of Lighting and Sound, added: "It was fantastic to catch up with Andrew and hear about everything he has achieved since leaving BOA. Opportunities like this are invaluable for our students and hearing directly from industry professionals who were once in their position really reinforces that what we teach reflects real industry practice."

BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy continues to work closely with leading industry partners to ensure students gain hands-on experience in professional environments, preparing them for successful careers in theatre, live events and the wider creative industries.

Applications for BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy are currently open for September 2026. Kickstart your creative career.