Shmem Geddes
Consultant
Shmem joined Theatreplan in 2024 as a consultant specialising in stage engineering, after 14 years working in automation in some of the world’s biggest venues and shows. Her experience of running shows and using systems from automation suppliers, means she has a deep understanding of the day-to-day experience of technical staff.
Prior to Theatreplan, Shmem was Technical Supervisor at the Royal Albert Hall, where the recent Olivier Awards proved to be a career highlight. This followed her role as Head of Automation and as part of the creative team for the multi award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in the west end of London.
Shmem graduated from Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with a BA in Technical and Production Arts and subsequently garnered an impressive list of credits, including working for Cirque du Soleil as Head of Automation on the Echo and Kurios worldwide tours where, during her tenure, she was proud to be the only female head of automation in big-top touring. She was also Associate Pyrotechnician for Just FX London and Lighting Programmer for DesignLab events in Dubai. Shmem also worked for two years as Special Effects and Automation Technician at House of Dancing Water in Macau.
Shmem’s interest in theatre began as a young audience member, finding it an exciting environment where imagination and insight into a different world was possible. She was initially interested in set design but moved on to lighting and stage electrics, eventually focusing on pyrotechnics and lighting, then automation. She brings this wealth of hands-on experience to the talented stage engineering team at Theatreplan and has already started work on stage lift projects for Sydney Opera House and Royal Albert Hall.
