Two LIPA grads up for major live events awards

Two graduates of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) are up for prizes at this year's TPi Awards.  

Lee McMahon, Sound Technology (2012) has been nominated for Front of House (FOH) Engineer of the Year, while Theatre & Performance Technology graduate Ali Pike (2006) has been shortlisted for Lighting Designer of the Year.  

The TPi (Total Production International) Awards celebrate outstanding creative and technical achievements from the world of entertainment and is billed as the live events industry’s biggest night out.  

Ali says it was a shock to discover she’d been shortlisted. “I was genuinely surprised. This is my first TPi nomination, I still don’t know who nominated me, but I am extremely grateful.”  

Lee says he was “humbled and shocked” to be nominated, “especially to be shortlisted alongside so many close friends, colleagues, companies and mentors that have supported me. I’m among very good company!”  

The last 12 months have been busy for both Ali and Lee. Highlights for Ali include lighting two performances, Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley (with whom Ali works regularly), at this year’s BBC Radio Two in the Park in Leicester. “It was probably the longest day of the year, but I had two fantastic shows with two lovely, lovely artists which makes it all worth it.” While Lee spent 2023 touring the world with The 1975, “I’ve visited a number of places I’d never been to while also getting to tick off a few bucket list gigs - including sold out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl and London’s 02 Arena.”  

Jon Thornton is Director of the School of Creativity, Technology and Enterprise and Head of Sound Technology. He says: “Ali and Lee’s nominations are a fantastic endorsement of just what they have achieved in their respective industries since graduating from LIPA. It’s a testament to both their natural talents and the sustained hard work needed in this industry. We are immensely proud of them.”  

The winners of the TPI Awards are decided by the industry in a community vote with the awards handed out at a ceremony at Evolution in London on 26 February. We wish Lee and Ali the best of luck.

Image: Ali Pike